Labels

absolute awesomeness addiction Adversity An Uncommon Whore angels animal rescue animal welfare Anne Kane anxiety aquamarine author corner bad angels bad weather Barbara Elsborg BDSM bdsm romance belinda mcbride BelindaPalooza Belindapendence Belle Starr beverages bisexual bisexual romance Black Planet Blacque/Bleu blog hop Broken Cancer CAPA changeling press characters cherise sinclair China chronic pain Coming Out contests cooking courage craft creativity culinary competion custom art cyber punk Dark Haven deadlines Deeply blog demons depression dog shows dogs Doms of Dark Haven Dos Lunas Dragon's Blood drawings druids election embarrassment EPIC Winner erotic romance erotica expressive writing faith family fantasy fear femme domme fiction Film fire firefighters France free reads full moon futuristic genre hopping ghosts goldenwolfen grand prize greco-roman culture halloween happiness haunted mansions head/desk health heroines hide my head in shame Hong Kong human trafficking Iditarod Inspirational jessica freely Jessica Freely jianne carlo Kate Roman KC Burn Lance Mackey las vegas Last Call Europe lena austin lex valentine LGBT lifestyle linda suzane Lisabet Sarai little Dragon Little Dragon Little Foxes loose Id lost pets love scenes lucky in red lynn lorenz m/m m/m romance Madly martial arts martini mary winter meditation menage romance menege mental illness My Birthday mythology NaNoWriMo New Concepts Publishing new release New Year's Giveaway News nutrition overcoming pack politics paranormal paranormal romance Paris Passion in Print passionate plume pearls personal pet peeves PETA PL Nunn positivity procrastination Rainbow book awards real life release dates Review Risk romance save the quiet kitty science fiction Sele selena illyria shape shifters Sheri Lewis Wohl shunga siberian husky sidhe sierra cartwright slavery smoke snow snowfire: chrysalis space opera speculative fiction St John and St Thomas stupid mistakes succubus survival Suzanne Rock Tara Lain terrorism The Next Big Thing The Romance Reviews Tiger Eyes time off TMI Tony Leung travel Truckee Wolves Truly urban fantasy valentine's day vampires vampiropolis weight weight loss well being werewolves When I Fall wicca wildlife witches wolves World building world events writer's block writer's health writers block writing writing habits yacht

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The Care and Feeding of the Romance Writer


Whether it’s in an interview, a live chat, or an author’s corner, there’s one question I get asked more than any other: “Where do you come up with your ideas?”

Most writers have their answers, ranging from dreams to song lyrics to spontaneous explosions in the frontal lobe. Really. For myself, there is no set answer, I often free-associate. I’ll see an image, that leads to a thought, which leads to another thought, and then a scenario begins to take shape.

I used to think that I had a pretty rich imagination, till I entered the world of speculative fiction. Now I’m humbled on a pretty regular basis, and even further humbled that I speak to many of these brilliant people on a daily basis. So needless to say, blogging about creativity feels a little wrong. But there are a few things tossing around in my brain.

So, you want to write a story. You have an idea there in your head, but it hasn’t come to fruition, or you simply have that pent-up, frustrated need to say something…to express yourself. Where do you look for inspiration? How do you convince the Muse to whisper in your ear, to light that spark in your heart?

Hmmm…good question.

I’m feeling pretty dry these days. October was its usual brutal self, reminding me that all the really awful things in my life happen in October. November just reminded me that the holidays are coming and I’m broke, because of some awful thing that happened in October. And December…don’t you just want to kick her jolly red butt?

Hey…there’s a story there somewhere…

I pried the January novella from my hard drive and sent it in, now I have to come up with something for my March slot. I’ve got the beginnings of three novellas and none of them want to fly. I’m frustrated, angry. I’d spit at my screen, but in all likelihood, the goober would run down and short out the laptop. I yell at the dog, who decided that the laptop is simply and extension of my lap.

I give up and go lie down, pull the covers over my head and try for a nap.
Paydirt. There it is, the missing element to that Vamp novel. Right there in Technicolor and surround-sound. But it’s not my priority right now. I get up and take notes, my nap aborted by my imagination.

Back to the computer, and instead of writing, I go wandering around the stock image sites. Again, paydirt. There’s my werewolf, looking at me with ominous splendor. Quick as a wink, his personality quirks come into the picture; his character sheet begins to fill out. He wears black silk shirts and a bolero hat like Stevie Ray Vaughn used to favor. He was a high school music teacher, but lost his job because the girls (and some boys) couldn’t deal with his potent pheromones. He’s macho, virile, and so very shy. The principal’s daughter hid in his car after school, showing up in his house later that night.

Good thing he plays the guitar.

Back to mental wandering. I go out and take a walk in the newly frigid air. We’re having a cold snap, and it feels good to stretch my legs and look at the changing landscape. How did people cope with Redding before air conditioning and central heating? Brutal hot summers and wet, miserable winters. I think about my family before they came to California, when they lived on the reservation in Washington, and how during the winter, the baby’s wet diapers froze on the clothesline inside the house.

I swear to everyone that a day doesn’t go by when I don’t write something. Well, that’s true, I’ve written two blog entries today, but I haven’t worked on a story for quite some time. That’s because my creative self needs a re-charge now and then. Just because I’m not writing doesn’t me that I’m not creating. This week has been personal. My daughter called from St Maarten with the stunning news that she won a huge, international culinary competition. In between Googleing her pictures and talking on the phone, I cobbled together a book video, spent time at a chat, and made some jewelry while watching Ghost Hunters.

While all this is going on, a story is growing at the back of my mind; characters are taking shape, dialogue bubbles through my awareness. In a day or three, I’ll be back at the keyboard, completely oblivious to the annual misery of October and the dry spell that followed. March’s novella will go in; I’ll meet that April deadline, and continue to develop my workshop project.
Do you sort of see where I’m going here? Writing is a discipline. Most arts are. It’s hard work. You will not accomplish anything unless you put your hands on the keyboard and start.

But there is also an element of creativity, when you simply must unleash your mind, turn it loose to wander and process and scramble things around. You must feed your mind, as surely as you feed your body; exercise your brain, or that muscle will become weak. Nurture your soul as the precious treasure that it is. Tend to your body, feed it well, take it for walks, (or work-outs) and get enough sleep.

So here is your tip for the day: Take fifteen minutes every day that is “between time.” On your way home from work, stop at a park or somewhere else that inspires you. Simply sit and be alone for those fifteen minutes. Read a bit of a book, write some poetry, pray, meditate, or do whatever eases your soul.

If you work from home like I do, leave. Go out and get away for a few minutes. I like to go to the lookout over Shasta Dam, it’s close to home, safe, and the view of the Three Shasta’s is beautiful.
That’s it. Fifteen minutes of between time. A little daily gift to yourself.

http://www.belindamcbride.com/
www.myspace.com/belindamcbride

Saturday, November 29, 2008

How to Save a Life Without Really Trying


This morning, I was on the telephone, making an appointment to take my niece to visit her social worker. Once we’d settled on a date, I had to change the time, remembering that was my regular day to donate platelets through Apheresis.
To my surprise, she didn’t know anything about donating blood, and was even more mystified that I would take several hours out of my day every two weeks to undergo Apheresis, the procedure that separates platelets from blood.

I began to donate blood a few years back, going in to the blood center maybe two or three times a year. And then one day, I overheard one of the nurses mention that some of the cancer patients at local hospitals were literally dying because they couldn’t get enough platelet donors. I asked about the procedure, was tested for my platelet count, and to my surprise, discovered that I was an ideal donor. In fact, with my high platelet count, I am able to do triple donations twice a month. That means six very ill patients receive life-saving platelets from me every month!

What does this have to do with writing? Well, I spend about ninety minutes in a recliner while the Apheresis procedure takes place, and my mind wanders. Once, I was thinking of a new idea for a story; the setting was clear, the story would take place in post-earthquake San Francisco. I had the title: Dragon’s Blood. But the plot just wouldn’t gel.

I looked around the room at all of the donors and thought of a future where a mysterious disease had taken hold of the human population. A future where donated blood became a rare and precious commodity. This disease became a major plot point in the Black Planet series, and will continue to re-emerge in future books in that series. In my current release, Tiger Eyes, the heroine is afflicted with the disease called Dragon’s Blood, and is rapidly dying. Grace fights valiantly to stay alive in this story; she’s an amazingly strong character.

Over the course of my life, I’ve seen many lives saved by the donations of others. My friend Mo received bone marrow transplants which extended her life during her battle with cancer. My brother received whole blood following a devastating injury. My co-worker Melissa made the stunning and selfless decision to donate her kidney to a friend, and literally saved that woman’s life.

You too can save lives; simply call your local blood center to see if you are eligible to donate. It takes a little time, and next to no effort. To learn more about Platelet Apheresis, visit the American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_554_,00.html
Black Planet: Tiger Eyes is now available at Changeling Press:

Thursday, October 23, 2008

October Release! IMPERATIVE: ALWAYS YOU


New at Changeling Press!
The concept of the Imperative series is freedom of choice. Is such freedom desirable? Beneficial? If so, why do we always seem to screw things up?
Years ago, there was a song with an interesting lyric: Freedom of choice is what we've got; Freedom from choice is what we want.
After reading romances for quite some time, I noticed a trend; people who are bound to one another by outside forces. Life mates, soul mates, bound by magic, nature or or a biological mating. Since most women's romance is a fantasy for the female reader, what are we looking for on a gut level? A man who will never cheat, will never leave us. A relationship that is perfect, that was meant to be.
Happily ever after. Of course.
Well, at least that's my interpretation.
That irked me, and when something irks me, I generally confront the issue and put my own spin on it. Thus came Nature's Imperative.
Couples are pulled together, sometimes unwillingly. The Imperative can strike anytime, anywhere. Con Montgomery is literally hanging upsidedown on the side of a building when he feels it.
The Imperative is not comfortable, it causes nausea, vertigo, and a major sense of undefined horniness. If you don't connect with your Imperative mate, bad things happen, and your life will never be whole. Without your mate, you are condemned to a half-life of sorts, without the comfort of a lover, children, or sexual satisfaction.
The characters in this universe are human, they mess up. In Missing You, Con and Duncan literally miss Marina, who is intended by Nature to be their third, and as a result, their idyllic love for one another goes awry, resulting in infidelity. (Well, not really, since the "other woman" was really Marina, thier mate.)
In Always You, Neil and Marilyn are futuristic yuppies, up and comers in their corner of the business world. Their relationship is abrasive and tense. When Nature finally butts her nose into the situation, things don't improve a great deal. After all, Neil has lived his entire adult life as a gay man and is comfortable with his sexuality. He is still deeply in love with Jase, the lover he just broke up with. Marilyn still carries her anger toward Neil, as well as a deep lack of self-confidence. Just because an outside force compels this couple to be together doesn't make them suddenly perfect.
What's next in the series? Well, I'm currently working on Saving You, the story of Jase. Its coming slow, because of all the characters I've ever written, Jase is truly sad, truly disturbed, and in spite of a miracle, he isn't going to just "get over" all the pain in his psyche. I want his story to be just right, after all, he plays an important role in Neil and Marilyn's story.
Another important factor in Saving You is Nature herself; she decides that Jase is important enough that she's actually personified in this book. Jase asks for peace, and she decides to grant him his wish. And peace is certainly not what Jason Anders thinks it will be!
Anyhow, I hope you read and enjoy this series. Number Three may be the end, but who knows, maybe Nature will come knocking on my imagnation one again, giving me some new ideas for the Imperative!


TITLE: IMPERATIVE: ALWAYS YOU
AUTHOR: Belinda McBride
AUTHOR URL: http://www.belindamcbride.com/
GENRE/THEME: Futuristic, Fantasy, Bisexual
PUBLISHER: Changeling Press
RELEASE DATE: October 24, 2008
URL TO THE BUYING PAGE: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1021
EXCERPT RATING: NC17
WARNINGS: Sexual Situation
*****

BLURB

In the future, we don't choose our mates; Nature chooses for us. Nature doesn't make mistakes. And if you don't pay attention to Nature's Imperative, you suffer.

She could always get under his skin. He could always send her spinning into fury. Marilyn and Neil aren’t like oil and water, they’re like dynamite and a fuse! Not only do these co-workers hate each other, but Mari’s still in love with her ex-husband, and Neil? Well, Neil is gay.

Nature’s got some explaining to do.


EXCERPT:

He pushed her to the top of the bed, overwhelmed by softness; soft skin, soft muscle, soft hair. He ran his hands over her body, rough and hard, hands clasping her small breasts, listening to her gasp as he bent down, tasted her nipples. A hand dropped between her legs and Marilyn opened gladly, more than ready to take him.

His hand groped, a bit clumsy, finally a finger slipped within her folds, probing, dipping into her wet channel. Neil pushed himself up, away from her breast and watched his hand, looked at what he was doing.. Her hips thrust against his hand, as though silently urging him on, and her hand dropped to his cock, stroking firmly, with an expert touch. She squeezed, her thumb catching a pearl of pre-come, spreading it over his cock head.

Unable to wait, Neil shifted into position, letting her take his cock, sliding it into her wet, glistening folds.

And then he was inside her body.
* * *
He froze atop her. Marilyn pumped her hips, trying to urge him into movement. He was large, as large as she’d suspected, judging by her covert glimpses of him in the past. He’d been nearly shaking in eagerness, sweat blooming over his skin, his muscles taut and rigid. His cock was so hard, so hot she’d been unable to wait.

And now he hovered there, inches above her body, buried deep within her channel.

“Neil?” She shifted her hips, trying to provoke him to movement. She shivered in frustration. This was the most wildly arousing moment of her life. He’d been rough, and it had felt good, so incredibly good. He’d been awkward, but that wasn’t unusual, some men she’d been with had been much more so.

He was hard inside of her, but suddenly, she felt a sense of disconnection. Isolation.

“Neil?”

He blinked in the darkness, and looked down at her. To her dismay, he backed out, sliding to a kneeling position.

“I can’t.”

Nausea bloomed, the sweat on her skin suddenly chilled, and the little bit she’d eaten threatened to come back up.

Marilyn carefully scooted up in the bed, cautious to not brush his skin, to not make any contact at all.

She slid off the bed, glancing at Neil, he still knelt, eyes closed, cock jutting from his body.

“I’m sorry, Mari, don’t leave… please… I just…”

She fished her clothing from the floor, piece by piece, following the trail to the door.

“Mari…”

He’d followed her to the living room. He was naked, and Marilyn thought she’d never seen such a beautiful body before. He was tanned and muscled, the result of hours on a rowing team. His cock was still full and hard, jutting from a nest of dark curls. His long legs were muscular and as perfect as she’d ever seen.

“That’s okay, Neil. I do understand, really.” She pulled her sweater over her head and quickly tied the drawstring on her pants. She picked up her shoes, not bothering to put them on.

“I’ll go home now. If it’s too hard to be apart, I’ll just… maybe take your spare room. I’m not really interested in relationships, but maybe you and Jase…”

Her gaze swept the room and she spotted her tote. She scooped it from the floor.

“Marilyn, it’s not what you…”

The door shut behind her.

“…think.”

He squeezed his eyes closed and turned back to the bedroom. Neil’s cock ached unbearably, and he fell face first onto the neatly made bed.

The pressure of the mattress on his cock was overwhelming.. He thrust once, twice, imagining that he was back inside that incredible, wet, tight passage. Once more and he shuddered in climax. The climax he’d been trying to delay when he’d pulled out of her body. He’d been completely overwhelmed by the foreign nature of the act, the unfamiliar curves and planes of a female body.

He’d found himself lost in an incipient climax before he’d even thrust into her once. His brain had shut down completely, unable to process what the hell was happening.

And then she was gone.

Neil rolled to his back, the buzzing in his head had returned, his stomach gripped with pain. He rolled to his feet and rushed to the bathroom, just in time to make it to the toilet before being sick.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1021

http://www.belindamcbride.com/
http://www.belindam.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Poverty Awareness Day

This is a cross-post from author Deborah MacGillivray:


The sad story of Dawn and Diane Thompson of New York, USA.

I won't address the many hard knocks that hit the Thompson sisters through the years. Life tends to visit death, loss and unfortunate circumstances upon us all. It's their later life-and death of Dawn-that touches my heart and mind on this day meant to bring world consciousness to the ugliness of poverty.

Eleven years ago, Dawn was hit in a car accident that left her unable to walk. She could barely take more than two or three steps, dragging one leg. She had rods in her arms, and due to improper care in hospital, she lost the use of the last three fingers on her left and right hand. They were curled back and could no longer respond for her. From that point on a wheelchair was her only means of moving about. There was a settlement for the accident, so she was able to get along.The government provided her $565 per month in disability (I have no idea why so LOW), meaning she would have had no means of existing without the settlement.

They originally provided her with an aid in the morning to help bathe and get her dressed. Another came in the afternoon to do errands such as pick up medicine, fetch groceries and do laundry. A third came in just before bedtime to help her undress and get into bed. Three years ago, they decided Dawn was getting too much aid, and cut her aids for afternoon and evening. Afternoons were difficult, but the night aid really was missed most of all. It was very hard for Dawn to get out of the wheelchair after sitting in it for 12 hours straight. Sometimes it took her an hour of battling just to get into bed. This was a woman in her late sixties and riddled with pain and arthritis. Each night was dangerous on her heart.

Dawn's plight became more acute at the end of 2005. She had an accident that nearly killed her-the wheelchair malfunctioned and tossed her into the dishwasher, ripping open her thigh. She was lucky she didn't bleed to death. Medical expenses mounted. Yes, she had Medicare. But co-payments and so many medicines she needed were not covered by the government support saw her money from the accident settlement eaten up by these expenses. She was forced in the spring of 2007 to sell her pre-paid funeral policy just to pay her rent. She had to choose between food and a roof over her head. Things grew so grim, that I began sending her food and cat food.

Author Rowena Cherry was another who sent money to help Dawn, as well as my dear friend Monika Wolmarans. Monika is retired and on very limited means herself, so her giving to help Dawn really touched me. I thank both ladies for their caring about Dawn's plight.

Dawn fell had to be hospitalized, and things spiraled out of control. People couldn't understand how a woman with over a dozen books out for two publishers didn't have plenty of money. Well, sad fact, new authors don't make big bucks, and often you have to wait 2-3 years before you are seeing money from your books. The money those books would earn would came way too late to help Dawn.

During her final days, her younger sister, Diane, stayed with her as much as possible. She was a driver-education instructor and basically the only person there for Dawn in her final days. She requested family emergency leave, and was refused. Then she requested vacation time - time she would spend easing her sister in her final moments. The hard-hearted boss refused to give her vacation time. Instead, she was forced to choose between obeying her boss and being there with Dawn in her final moments. I am eternally grateful she chose to be there for Dawn. I do not want to imagine how horrible it would have been for my friend had she faced dying alone.

Only, the problems started for Diane. Diane-called Candy by her friends-was fired by her hard-hearted boss. She is sixty-one, has trouble walking without a cane because of arthritis in her knees. She was forced on unemployment, which barely paid her rent. What money she had in reserves went for food, electric and phone. Very quickly, she was facing little food in the house, losing electric and phone service. Unemployment was extended three months. We are hoping they will extend it another time, but so far that hasn't happened. Things are getting grim for her, and once again, I am sending food shipments. Once again Monika, who has so little, is sending money to help.

Candy is sixty-one. Recently, she went in for a job interview and the lady took one look at her slow gait and told her not to bother applying. Candy doesn't own a car, doesn't live near buses (couldn't walk to them if they were near), and is in an area too far from anything that might provide a job. Even if she could get to a job, it would have to be one where she could sit down. She just cannot stand all day. Within a few weeks she is going to be facing some ugly decisions if she doesn't get some help from somewhere. There is a period of about seven months before she can get Social Security. She might qualify for disability, too, but she would spend months, even years getting that. She needs help NOW.

What are the answers? I don't have them. I do know the American government allows their seniors to live on next to nothing. Rent subsidy for New York is only about $350. WHERE can you live in New York for that? The answer from the social worker - "You can't. You will have to go into a group home, but you don't want that as it's nothing but drug addicts." Candy was denied medical aid. This woman NEEDS medical care and cannot get it. She checked into Meals on Wheels and was told sure they could add her, but the meals came with a fee. A fee? She cannot afford anything. She is facing winter afraid of losing heat, electric and being thrown into the streets.

There are untold of Dawns and Dianes out there. Too many. The government just bailed out the economy, gave out rebates earlier this year to everyone. But nothing to help those who really are in need. Both Diane and Candy worked all their lives, paid their taxes and Social Security. Yet, when they needed help it was and isn't' there. How can this United States sentence their elderly to this sort of humiliating and life threatening circumstances?

Someone needs to care. We all need to care. Time ran out for Dawn. Time is running out for Candy. How many others are facing the same sort of scary, grim circumstances as the holidays approach? When you sit down to your turkey dinner come Thanksgiving, take a moment to consider those who won't have the comfort of family, a safe place to live, and food on the table.Don't say how sad. DO SOMETHING. Demand of your representative to ensure better care for our elderly; look around you, see how you can help. Millions are being collected for the poor in other countries, which is perfectly fine, but who is looking after the poor and sick and helpless in the USA? "Family and friends" should come first before we pour money into other countries. Is a sad state of affairs. We are always ready and willing to donate money to a good cause. Help is needed right here at home. It should be made easier for people to qualify for funds, red tape should be cut. It is very humiliating to apply for welfare or for help, it takes far too long to receive funds and the deserving cases are getting nothing, or have to fight over and over and have to wait until it is too late.

Courtesy of Deborah Macgillivray

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Paradise Found





















Not really much to say in this blog, mostly, I want to share photos of a couple of the lovliest places in the world that I've ever visited; the USVI. Even though we had to flee a tropical storm a few days early, it was still such an incredible place to go. Years ago, as a travel agent, I often heard vacationers ask for an a quiet, abandoned beach somewhere...



The beach shots are St John, the quaint town and the iguana are on St Thomas. That's Amanda and her friend Linda Chau playing in the ruins of a sugar mill on St John.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Fire Storm!




If you look down further on my blog, you'll see some photos of the fires that burned with such devastation here in California. What's that got to do with writing, you ask?




I want to tell you about a special new anthology coming from Changeling Press. Its called Fire Storm, and all the stories are related to fire, fire elementals, and shifters. Remember a few months back when there was flooding in the east and fire in the west? Well, I was unfortunate enough to be right in the middle of a circle of some of California's worst fires. We got to talking and decided to do this anthology specifically to benefit national disaster relief organizations. I'm really proud that my story, Cougar Meadow, was selected to be part of this anthology.
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1001




A collection of short Paranormal Erotic Adventures from the Changeling Press family of authors. Royalties to be donated to National Disaster Relief efforts.

Catan’s Fire -- Jade Buchanan: Asad needs to teach his mate what happens to submissive Felidae who disobey orders. This is one lesson Catan will never forget!

Brimstone by Mistake -- Alice Gaines: Lucifer has grown tired of processing soul after soul through hell -- until Sally Upshaw appears unannounced. The little temptress turns him on as no other woman ever has. The problem… Heaven's made a mistake. What will Lucifer do when the Man Upstairs wants Sally back?

Shifting Priorities -- Anne Kane: Solar flares have sparked random wildfires amongst the out-ports, and stationmaster Tome Rimmer forbids females to travel alone -- a decision that doesn't sit well with Jexx. Her battle implants more than compensate for her gender. But when the sexy hunk she picks up in the station bar turns out to be more than human, she has more important things to worry about than her profit margin.

Wolf Style -- B.J. McCall: When a wolf races out of the flames and straight into Volunteer Firefighter Matt Reynolds’ arms, he has no idea how his life is about to change.

Cougar Meadow -- Belinda McBride: When firefighter Ellie Cameron is separated from her crew and trapped in a firestorm, the last thing she expects is to be rescued -- by a shapeshifting mountain lion who awakens the heat buried within her -- and the need to mate.

Going Somewhere -- Cameo Brown: Leonora Palmer, an undercover arson investigator, gets an unexpected lesson in desire when the mysterious owner of a wild animal sanctuary catches her snooping in his garden and gives her no choice but to surrender to his primal needs.

Burning Down the House -- Isabella Jordan: Katurah has always had the ability to start fires with her mind. Will she use her powers now to end it all -- or will she give in to a fiery lover?

Stockings -- Jade Buchanan: What do you get when you throw a gorgeous female cat shifter, an enticing pair of stockings, and a very interested lady wolf into the mix? Enough heat to burn down the house...

Fire Thief -- Jordan Castillo Price: A glittery glam rock waif and a tattooed existentialist duck into a closet behind the bar. It’s just another gritty, anonymous, gay encounter in the dark…Isn’t it?

Britta's Beast -- Kate Hill: When Max and Britta met at a convention for members of magical law enforcement, they seemed like a perfect fit. But Max believes women should raise the family while men do the protecting. Problem. Britta’s a Valkyrie, and that’s just not her style. Time for the centuries old cat to learn a few new tricks -- before his lover takes wing.

Firehorse -- Mary Winter: When wildfires threaten a Nevada wild horse sanctuary, photographer Billie Mote takes one chance too many and finds herself needing rescue -- from a man who teaches her that there’s only one thing that burns hotter than the wildfire outside, and that’s the passion between them.

Mating Fever -- Selena Illyria:The moons are full, and Courtney's trapped with Devin Langley -- the man of her dreams. It's mating season for cat shifters, and she’s in heat. Perfect opportunity. The only problem -- she's been promised to another man.

Be sure to check out this great collection!

Friday, September 12, 2008

BLACK PLANET: DRAGON'S BLOOD Now Available!


It's always so much fun when a book releases...all that hard work and angst finally comes to fruition. Dragon's Blood is no different, its a book that in many ways came easy to me. In fact, much of the story came to me as I sat in the chair at the blood center, making my regular donation. But still, I worried about this one...will readers understand the cultural references that play such an important part of the story? Will they accept the racial differences between the hero and heroine?


Yes, blood plays a major role in the story, or rather, a creature that craves blood. A vampire? Maybe. A monster? Absolutely. And what exactly is "Dragon's Blood?" No, its not a mythical creature, but rather an insidious disease that kills randomly.


In my opinion, this is probably my best book (thus far!) and I'm really quite proud of it. So read on for a blurb and a racy excerpt about Annie Tanaka and Aiden Chen, the newest heros in the world of the Black Planet.


While this story isn't a sequel to Little Dragon, it takes place in the same universe, but in a different time. You will find some similarities, the Nephris are mentioned, and we meet the Thalians for the first time. And Grandfather Guo Lee makes an appearance...
And by the way, I'm celebrating the release of the book with a contest, read on, and then visit www.belindamcbride.com for details!


Title: Dragon’s Blood

Genre/Line: Sci Fi, Futuristic, Interracial, Cyber Punk

Author: Belinda McBride
Author URL: www.belindamcbride.com
Release Date September 12, 2008

Publisher: Changeling PressPublisher URL: http://www.changelingpress.com/
BUY LINK: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=986

Content Warning: Contains sexual situations, which may offend some readers.

* * * *
BLURB:
San Francisco, 2183 CESan Francisco was never the same after the Great Shake of ‘08. On the ruins of Fisherman’s Wharf, a ramshackle city rose like a mushroom, a strange dichotomy of safety and corruption. In this forbidden city, a monster prowls the corridors and alleys, seeking the nanite-enhanced flesh and blood of underground cage fighters.


Detective Annie Tanaka once survived an encounter with the monster. The attack left her clinging to life and riddled with fear. Now the monster has returned, and is hunting in her territory. She will need every weapon in her arsenal to face this enemy and prevail.


Unfortunately for Annie, her partner hates her and is next on the monster’s menu. And Annie’s mentor is a legendary fight master who hasn’t been seen in decades.


As she closes in on the creature, Annie Tanaka quickly discovers that her real enemy isn’t the monster, but her own fear. And against that fear, Annie must stand alone.


Note: The events in this story take place thirty years prior to Little Dragon.

EXCERPT: Adult
She broke the kiss. “Wait…”

She pushed back, standing, and unbelted his robe, letting it fall away from his body. He was muscular but lean. It amazed her that this beautiful body of his took so much punishment. There was a small scar over his hip; that had come from a domestic disturbance call. The victim had suddenly turned on her rescuers, attacking Annie with a knife as she cuffed the woman’s drunken husband. Aiden had saved her life that night, intercepting the attack, getting cut himself.

She surveyed his body, seeing the small scars of youth and childhood, but nothing newer. Nothing recent to mark the ugly turn his life had taken. His cock rose long and dark from a thatch of black hair, his balls dropped heavily beneath the shaft. Annie carefully drew his legs apart and knelt between them, exquisitely aware of the supplicant posture she assumed.

Aiden’s body grew rigid, his dark eyes fairly blazed with heat. When she took his shaft in hand, he shivered.

“My God, Annie!” He jumped when her mouth slid over the head of his cock. Inwardly, Annie smiled. She was in the pose of submission, but held all the power at this moment.

He was big, bigger than she could comfortably take in, so Annie clasped his shaft, giving long, smooth strokes as she suckled and licked at the head of his cock. She tasted the salty tang of pre-come, smelled the musk of his arousal as he became more excited. Aiden slid forward in the hard wooden chair, giving her more access to his body.

Annie fondled his balls with her free hand, teasing up behind the delicate orbs, the tips of her fingers pressing his anus. He flinched, and gasped, and she pulled her head back, looking up at him.

“Is this okay?” The tip of her finger pressed in a tiny bit, playing with that tight circle of muscle. He nodded.

“Not too much though, just there…“ His words trailed off on a sigh as she pressed a moist finger to his back entrance, her mouth returning to his balls. Annie felt his muscles contract on her finger rhythmically, his balls began to grow tight to his body. Annie looked up, the expression on his face made her heart stand still. Lust and want, certainly, but a look of wonderment and love had settled over his face. Love for her.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=986

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Gustav

Hello all,
In lieu of my normal blog, I want to take the opportunity to share a post from another list regarding Hurricane Gustav. Lynn is a dog breeder who lives in New Orleans, she and her family and dogs weather Katrina just 3 years ago, and are again evacuating in the face of this new storm.

Lynn shares some links and advice on donating time and money toward the pending disaster. Many hard lessons were learned after Katrina, and we don't want to see a repeat of those mistakes.

Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:16:42 -0500From:

Lynn Szymurski Subject: Gustav links foraide & support
Hi all,I've put this together very hurriedly tonight to send out to those of =you that have requested info regarding Gustav and the links I promised. =I hope this will answer your questions and inquiries for you, and I will =forward more on as I locate them. I really need to think about packing, =but too much on my mind for that.

This is a nationwide website where you may select a state and find out =ways to donate during disasters that affect any part of the state. The =link for LA is listed below. You may find access on how to donate =financial support, products and how to volunteer to help.
http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/fema/states.aspx?ST=3DLouisiana

FEMA's Hurricane Gustav links and timelines regarding new releases: =http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/2008/gustav/index.shtm

Thankfully, in 2006, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards =(PETS) Act mandates FEMA to ensure all state and local emergency plans =address the needs of individuals with household pets and service =animals. Good article at this link: =http://ohsep.louisiana.gov/newsrelated/petplan70908.htm =20

Great website for the entire United States in preparing for any type of =disaster. Contains links on how to evacuate during every possible =scenario, gives listings of every state's contact information and phone =numbers during emergency situations. Everyone should have this website =bookmarked: http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html

For volunteer work in LA: =http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do
For product donations and details of what is actually needed, this =webpage will list the items needed, when needed by, etc.

=http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/fema/PublicPortal/ListOfNeeds.aspx?Portal=ID=3D19

This is the legitimate site of links to legitimate nonprofits in =Louisiana and secure ways to donate. =http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/CashDonations/Default2.aspx?ST=3DLouisian=a
Thank you for your support and concern for us. It is greatly =appreciated....Permission to crosspost granted.

Siberianly,Lynn SzymurskiRichlynn SiberiansNew Orleans,

Monday, August 18, 2008

Little Dragon is now available!


Rose Lee was a wonderful character to create, in fact, if you scroll down to "Alpha Bitches and Little Dragons" you will find a little more information about how she came to be.
Arad Soheil? He was literally a mystery even as he first stepped into the story.
This seems to be typical for my writing, a story, a heroine (or hero) and a shadowy love interest who refuses to speak until they actually enter the story.
Arad is a wonderfully complex character, riddled with fears, grief and self-contempt that he certainly doesn't deserve. Odd, even Arad knows that his thinking has become twisted, yet can do nothing about it.
Well, nothing until Rose Lee enters his life!
BLURB:
Following a devastating injury, Detective Rose "Little Dragon" Lee takes a courier job to make payments on her ship. The job was easy...safe...until her ship is captured by the dangerous, war-like Nephris.
Nephris Commander Arad Soheil immediately recognizes his captive as the one person his government would most like to capture and terminate. Arad immediately files a property claim on the dangerous female, making her part of his household. Rose means more to him than a warm body in his bed or a vessel for his children. She holds the key to his freedom and his sanity, to his very life.

Because Arad Soheil is not what he seems, and his time is running out.

Monday, August 4, 2008

What a Lovely Man!
















I'm trying a new feature for my blog, once a month or so, I'm going to feature my Lovely Man (or Woman) of the month. Usually, its someone that isn't your run of the mill top 40 celeb, but someone from another place, or even time.


My inaugural Lovely Man is Tony Leung Chiu Wai, a major star in Hong Kong and International film. He's starred in such diverse films as "Happy Together," "Hard Boiled," "Lust, Caution," and "Hero." In Hong Kong, Tony is fondly known as Little Tony, or Short Tony, to differentiate from Tony Leung Kar Fai. He was selected as People Magazine's "Sexiest Newcomer" in 2000.


Tony often works with Maggie Cheung, Andy Lau, and director Wong Kar-Wai. He's won numerous international awards, including Best Actor at Cannes for "In the Mood For Love."


Tony has proven himself a versitile actor, shining in comedy, historical dramas, martial arts and action movies, and romance. "Hero" particularly showcases Tony's skills, in that film, he plays the heroic warrior Broken Sword, and as the story of the movie is replayed several times from various character's points of view, Broken Arrow is a vastly different person in each telling. (Notice in the two images of Broken Arrow, he is portrayed with different colors. In the movie, they are blue, green, white and red.)


So do yourself a favor, head for your local video store and check out the foreign section. You'll be glad to see this lovely man in action!



Belinda

Sunday, July 6, 2008

MISSING YOU Contest Announcement!


To celebrate the July 11 release of Missing You at Changeling Press, I'm celebrating with a contest! The prize is a gorgous aquamarine and sterling silver pendent. (Chain not included) Two runners up will recieve a bar of yummy Wyld By Nature luxury soap. (http://www.wyldbynature.com/)

How to enter? Well, just go to my website, read the blurb for the story, and email me with Marina's real name. (first name will do)
I'll throw names into a hat and draw at random. The drawing will take place Sunday, July 13.

Again, go to my site, http://www.belindamcbride.com/ and email me with Marina's real name. My email addie is posted on the links/contact page. Or, you can post your answer here at the blog, but be sure to leave your name and email address!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Smoke on the water...



Yup, Shasta County is on fire, and not in a good way.
It started on the weekend, an electric storm crashed through the state, bringing fire, but no water. Fire in this area is an annual event, but this year, it came early, before we were braced for the onslaught.

Ironically, the firestorm brings an unusual beauty to the area; sunrise and sunset are not to be missed. In the late afternoon, the sun's rays turn to dazzling displays of color and light. The oranges and reds make our homes and yards glow with an otherworldly beauty.

Like any disaster, this one brings heros, in our area, we practically worship the firefighters. As we drive along the freeway, they come by in truckloads, and we wave at them, almost as though they are celebrities.


We see hotshots from Oregon and Washington, from reservations in Arizona, as well as from Southern California. These people are all ages, all races, men and women alike. There are even prison crews, and we cheer for them as well. Our newspaper has an area where we can post personal messages of gratitude to the firefighters. Their jobs are brutal and hard, filthy, painful and sometimes fatal.
At night, when we don't know what's happening out there, it's hard to sleep, we don't know if the knock will come on the door warning us to evacuate. There is a measure of comfort to be had knowing that the firefighters are out there doing thier job, doing what they can to keep us safe.


They are our heros.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Alpha bitches and Little Dragons

Sometimes a person enters your life who is so powerful they continue to shape your life long after they've gone. My friend Mo was like that. In the decade or so that she was my mentor she was clearly and undoubtedly my alpha bitch. I rarely rolled over for her, but that's only because my mellow exterior hides the heart of a majorly subborn woman. We laughed, we fought, and in her last hours, she gave me the opportunity to ease the pain of her body and the concerns of her mind.

Rose Lee from Little Dragon was based off Mo. She was tiny, tough and absurdly feminine. For a time, Mo was a police officer in Oakland, CA. Her career came to a tragic end when she responded to a domestic violence call; the suspect took her by surprise. He picked her up and threw her into a wall. She sustained nerve damage to her arm and was unable to continue with the force. When cancer took hold of her body, it woke up that injured shoulder and caused excruciating pain.

So Mo, Little Dragon is for you. If you were around today, I still wouldn't let you roll me, but you'd know you'd know who was really was the boss, wouldn't you?

Little Dragon is due for an August release with Changeling Press.

Coming attractions!

It's been an exciting month! Missing You was picked up by Changeling Press, within a week or so, they also approved Little Dragon! I'm thrilled, Missing You was the first story that I completed and submitted. Its a bit of a change from my normal style, but I'm more than fond of the story! Go check it out! http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=927

Blurb: In the future, we don’t choose our mates; Nature chooses for us. Nature doesn’t make mistakes. And if you don’t pay attention to Nature’s Imperative, you suffer.
Aquamarine Davis has an exciting future. The up and coming young choreographer is leaving town for a new job when she feels the unwelcome call of the Imperative. Hounded by an intense, biological compulsion to find her mate, Marina reluctantly attends the local mating assembly.
Artist Con Montgomery is thrilled that the Imperative finally called! At 32, he believed his time had passed. For years, he’s been haunted by visions of blue which he knew symbolized his mate. The Imperative leads him to Duncan Sinclair, and Con immediately recognizes his future in the smiling blue eyes of this man.
When Con and Duncan walk out of the Assembly together, they leave something behind: Marina. Their mate.