I dream of a Another Night, Another Dream

It's a reality. It's released! Yippeeee.

The Blurb:

Cassie thought she'd convinced her friends not to throw her some lame birthday party, but when her 25th rolls around, boy was she wrong. Not only is there a birthday party, but there's a stripper, and a bitchy little tramp who insults Cassie's plus-sized curves at her own party. Pissed off beyond belief, Cassie storms out, only to get trapped in a stairwell.

The stripper, Aden, and the bodyguard, Leo, follow her out to check on her, but just their luck, they get trapped in with her. Aden can't believe his luck at being stuck with the gorgeous birthday girl and the Hotty McHotass he's been looking at all night. Hotty McHotass takes the whole thing pretty stoically, just like he does everything else—but you can't judge a book by its cover.

To distract Cassie from a claustrophic panic attack, the boys start up a game of Truth or Dare. Cassie reveals her secret fantasy to have a threesome, and one by one, hearts, souls, and bodies are laid bare. It's a fantasy come true, and so much more, but when the game's over, will it turn out to be just another night, another dream?

To read an excerpt.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen

Where Sensuality and Wonder collide

http://www.mechelearmstrong.com

http://www.collector-series.com

The future's never been so sexy

http://www.melanylogen.com

Dream Dream Dream Dreaammm

This summer, the family and I went to Hershey, PA. It was sort of a dream of mine to go back. I went when I was a kid with my family.

Hopefully, next summer I maybe going to Savannah with the kids (and the youngest's Brownie Troop). It's another dream to go back there. Love Savannah, with all the Spanish Moss and Tybee Island.

Now, if I can just get back to Niagara Falls, a few of my dream destinations will be achieved. I'd still love to go to the Bahamas and Scotland.

Where do you dream of going?

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
Where Sensuality and Wonder collide
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.collector-series.com
The future's never been so sexy
http://www.melanylogen.com

To every thing there is a season

And my brain right now wants to be on summer vacation.

LOL I just finished three stories back to back. Fun stories that I enjoyed writing. But I'm feeling a little...needing of a break. A refilling of the well as it were. I plan to write a few fun things. Read. Bascially refill myself.

I know it won't last long. Characters are already talking. I have a sequel to write to one of the three stories. Not to mention other tales are lurking around my head. I have a story I'd really like to patch up and submit.

But for now, I'm going to enjoy this season.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

Inspiring

I can remember this episode of Roseanne. It made me want to write.



It's a poem I remember to this day. What inspires you?


Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
Where Sensuality and Wonder collide
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.collector-series.com
The future's never been so sexy
http://www.melanylogen.com

Joie de vivre

I went to an amusement park yesterday with the kidlets and the hubby.

My youngest was tall enough to ride another coaster. She's hoping to be tall enough by the end of summer to ride the last two coasters there. We rode two of the ones she can ride multiple times and one once.

The oldest rode her first coaster and was so proud of herself.

It reminds me how much joy children find in just living. As an adult, I sometimes get so wrapped up in the job, in the routine, etc that I forget how much joy there can be in living. I forget to stomp in puddles. To stop and smell a pretty flower. To pat the cat. To rub the dog's belly. Catch snowflakes on your tongue.

I hate having to be reminded (and not just my kids remind me) but I love it when I am. It helps to take pleasure in the simple things.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
Where Sensuality and Wonder collide
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.collector-series.com
The future's never been so sexy
http://www.melanylogen.com

Glitch or not, it's troubling

Tina/Cassie posted below about the whole Amazon debacle. It's a mess.

It has definitely ignited the online world.

Every September/October, I try to do a lot of postings on Banned Books Week. It's a cause I believe in strongly.

One of the things that has been pointed out on numerous blogs is the incongruity of the appliance of the adult policy (which may or may not be Amazon's policy, they now say, "glitch" in response to why the books have been desearch engined and deranked).

Violent books such as the Dexter series and others weren't affected. Now, I enjoy the Dexter series both in book and on TV. But there's a lot of murder and mayhem happening in these books. Is sex really that much more objectionable than violence? The books that were affected, are they really more offensive than a serial killer torturing his victims?

Not to me.

And therein lies the problem of censorship. Everyone has things they find offensive. Where do we draw the line? My line is here. Your line is over there. Her line is way over there. Whose line do we take?

I sincerely hope that this Amazon thing is a glitch and they get it fixed posthaste. But I also hope that people will continue to talk about censorhip and book banning and realize that it does still happen. And it's no more objectionable when done by Amazon than it is when done at a public library or a school library.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

Heroes

I'm watching the TV show Heroes right now. The first season of Heroes was fantastic in my book. They had me watching every week. Save the Cheerleader, Save the World.

Last season was ehhhhh. I didn't get into it as much as I did the first season.

They have been trying to come back the second part of this season.

The reason it worked for me and why it's starting to again is because of characters. Strong characterization can suck me in anytime.

I've seen characters take on new life. I've seen characters who could have been totally unsympathetic become, if not heroic, interesting to watch. Dexter anyone? Sylar from Heroes? Heck, Clooney's original character from ER was a drunk.

A lot of that is the actor who portrays them.

As authors we don't have that advantage of actors to bring our characters to life. But we can do that. With writing. Quirks. Characteristics. Actions that speak more than words. Careful consideration. Fabulous dialogue. All those things can make the character pop from the page.

An author's toolbox is full. And here's hoping I use it on this next story. I hope to stretch myself.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

New release and new cover goodness

*points left* See my new cover. Isn't it lovely?

I adore April Martinez. She's such a fantastic artist.

I'm really excited about I HEART THAT CITY: Body Shots, which is a part of a multi-author series and released yesterday from Loose Id.

Blurb:

Joe and Daphne go to I Heart That City every Thursday night to celebrate being together one more week. They almost lost their marriage and themselves to a former lover, who only wanted Daphne.

When Amos sees the happy couple, he knows he must capture them on film. Only he really wants to capture them for himself. Inviting them to let him take pictures only makes his longing more intense. And he's not the only one feeling the sexual spark. Joe and Daphne find themselves attracted to the man who seems to find both of them desirable.

One problem: they've taken a break from threesomes. When they decide to try and see where things go, passions explode with body shots on camera, and on Daphne and Joe with tequila. But Daphne's past has her in its sights and it could ruin everything.

To read an adult excerpt.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen

http://www.mechelearmstrong.com/

http://www.melanylogen.com/

Friday the 13th

No, not the horror movie :).

My kidlets realized that this Friday is Friday the 13th. They both went "Ahhhhhh! It's unlucky."

Now it started me thinking. Where does this come from?

Neither of them is old enough to know or have seen the horror movie of the same name.

I will say, I'm a superstitious person. I knock on wood, think things come in threes, blah blah. The hubby laughs at me.

But I can't remember ever having bad luck on a Friday the 13th or being particularly upset about it coming.

I started researching Friday the 13th to see if I could find the origin of the thinking and there is some dissension as to when the idea started that it's bad luck and also why. Some says it's a recent thing. Others credit the arrest of the Knights Templar on a Friday the 13th. Others say oral tradition had 12 as complete, while 13 was irregular, and Friday was bad luck. So blend the two, and you have the start of a superstition. Others credit the Norse.

Honestly, I've had more bad luck on Valentine's Day than any other day *blinks*I can think of. Someone is usually sick (stomach flu on year, ear infections one year and more) or gets terribly hurt (the youngest kidlet fractured both wrists on Feb 14th when she was 4).

What do you all think of Friday the 13th? Myth or reality? Why? And do you have another bad luck day?

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com/
http://www.melanylogen.com/

Life goes on

One of the things that still amazes me in a crisis is that life doesn't stand still. Because you want it to. You're in turmoil and you want life to stop coming at you for a few minutes. You want the mundane things to stop going on as you pause.

But it never happens like that.

Life goes on and the cycle must keep turning. Homework must get done. Critters must be fed. Kids must get bussed to and fro. Dinner must be fixed.

And writing must go on.

That's a hard one. Because it's hard to sit down and do what you do every day while your mind is somewhere else.

Yes, life comes at you fast. And it's all in how you react.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

The Wolf has been unleashed

I'm so excited! Settler's Mine: the Wolf released yesterday! I'm also a little nervous because this book is a little bit different. It explores D/s, which is something I've done but never this blatantly before. And Clyde is da bomb *Grins*.

The Blurb:


When Clyde goes into heat, no one else will do but one of his own secretive race, the Wolftons.

Angelica isn't expecting anyone when she hears a shuttle arrive. To her surprise, it's a virile Wolfton, who asks a single question, "Are you a whore?"

Her answer of "yes" plunges her into an erotic fantasy where her every whim is indulged. With Clyde, she takes the role of submissive to new heights.

Clyde knew he'd find sex to ease his urges, but Angelica's more than a willing body. She's his mate. And with his scent all over her, she's never going to be safe from the bounty hunters after his hide. Now this Wolf will have to outrun his pack to Settler's Mine to claim and keep his mate.


To read an excerpt.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

Why do I do it?

I’m a Christmas fanatic. I’ll admit it. I love the lights. Really really love the lights. I love Christmas trees. I love all the family get togethers. I love buying people presents, especially when you find that perfect gift. I love Christmas music. I love Christmas specials. I’m a nut about the holiday.

At Halloween, I was doing some decorating inside. My oldest asked, “How come you do the inside? No one is ever going to see it.”

Well, I deck out the inside at Christmas, too, as much as the outside. And so far, we aren’t having any huge family gatherings here.

So why do I do it? Why do I transform the inside of my house into a “winter wonderland” as my oldest termed it?

For me.

I do it for myself. Because I love seeing things all decorated. I love the traditions that come along with it.

When we decorate our Christmas tree, it’s like a trip down memory lane. There are ornaments from past years that the kids have made. There are ornaments that the hubby and I made together when we were first married and had little money. There are ornaments to honor the critters, kids, and marriage coming into our lives. Ornaments people have given to us through the years. And ones that the hubby and I brought into the marriage.

It’s the same with the rest of the house. There’s the Nativity Set that the hubby gave to me one Christmas. There’s my Christmas town that I set up on top of the entertainment center. There are house that I’ve acquired from various places, including a toy shop that was the hubby’s and a reindeer barn that I place Rudolph near. There’s the little tiny Santa that I place on our sculpture of the Currituck lighthouse. There are all my Christmas Snoopys. Candles.

I’m a sentimental sap and I love getting out the Christmas stuff to walk through memories.

I also just really find everything so beautiful.

I love this time of the year! For me, it is the most wonderful time of the year.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

The Hero's Journey

This weekend I had the privilege of hearing Deb Dixon speak on both Goals Motivation and Conflict (a writer's bible of sorts) and the Hero's Journey. She used a lot of movie examples and we dissected movies. LOL she said we'd never be able to watch a movie purely for enjoyment again.

I tend to think of the hero, and by the way, when talking about the Hero's Journey, we're talking simply the protagonist, not specifically male, as going on a quest with this template. But she showed it applied to books without some quest as well. Like a romance. She said in a romance, you can have one character drive the book and another as its heart.

Which of course made me think about my own books. And how to apply this to what I write. I already do that in a lot of ways. I always think about my story as a journey. My character(s) tend to change throughout the novel. Not just romantically but usually the inner workings in some manner as well. I think I'm going to go back and revise an old story and really put this framework to the test. After I've done it (and don't hold your breath...I'm a deadline LOL for another story), I'll come back and report how it went.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

The Sixth Cursed Halloween

Talk about a challenging book to write! I had to transform Deidre from a cranky, man hater into falling in love. I had to give her a hero worthy of her. I think Brad fits the bill, but only time will tell.

Blurb:

On Halloween night, Brad settles down to repot his Bonsai tree. After an argument with his girlfriend, he needs someone to talk to. He's not expecting the tree to talk back.

Surprise! Deidre's cursed inside his bonsai tree. She's been curled up watching him for years. This conversation's the first she's had in centuries.

Brad tries to set her free, but at the end of the night, he loses the ability to hear the woman with the sexy brogue. He vows he'll do what it takes to get her out, wanting to know the woman behind the voice. He even has erotic dreams about the woman she might be, for the five long years he searches for the saving spell.

Deidre hates men. All of them. Or does she? Brad's such an earnest hunk, so determined to do right by her. Maybe they have some redeeming qualities - like a sexy, muscular chest.

On the sixth Halloween, a woman from Brad's life turns Deidre's life upside down. Literally. That's not a good thing for a potted tree. Now she's getting a choice: a life with Brad without her magic or back to the trees, but she can work her curses and take her revenge. What will she choose this sixth cursed Halloween?

To read an exerpt.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen

http://www.mechelearmstrong.com

http://www.melanylogen.com

Inspiration

It comes in many forms. One of the things I love about attending conferences is that they always seem to inspire. They make me think about the industry and/or about stories and figure out where both are going.

I attended the James River Writer's Conference this past weekend. I had a good time and really enjoyed the speakers. I learned a bit and stared considering my career and what I want to do over the next year.

David Balducci was Friday's speaker. He's really funny and an inspiration. Sent his book, Absolute Power to six agents. Six agents wanted it. I couldn't help but think...all I need is one. One will do fine! LOL. But I digress. I enjoyed listening to his stories. He had one about being on a train LOL and discussing poisoning. I'm going to have to find that book.

Adriana Trigiani was Saturday's speaker. I could have listened to her, too for several more hours. She's a very funny, gregarious woman. And very giving. When she was being told it was over, she kept saying, "I don't feel like I've done enough." Her advice, "Finish the damn book!" She said you can do anything once you finish.

I enjoyed seeing several of the agents in action. And several speakers. The panel on first page critiques for Fiction was interesting. The seminar on Romance was so much fun. I definitely feel inspired to start the "next thing."

Amazing how a few days with other writers refills the well.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany Of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

Life comes at you fast

Anyone know those Nationwide commercials where...well, life comes at you fast?

That's sort of the way it is around here. I blink and it's into next month. I yawn and it's the next year. I can't believe we are over half way done with 2008. Almost over 3/4's done.

I made some resolutions back in January. To be kinder to me. To do things for me. And I think I'm doing pretty well on those. I've done a massage to reward myself for writing. I'm going to volunteer at the SPCA.

I had another resolution to fulfill. Start querying agents. That one I really need to work on this fall. The book is finished, though it needs some cleanup.

It's time to get busy!

How's everyone else doing on their resolutions for the year?

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

Voice Check

A unique voice. Every writer wants one. We all hear about distinctive voices in writing. Last week, I got a lesson in voice.

I was already reading Tempted by Megan Hart (finally!) and got the Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen from the library.

The words Gerritsen uses come together in short sentences and paragraphs. It makes for a quick, fast paced voice. All words are used to ratchet up the suspense. To make you keep reading at a frenetic pace. It draws you into the world with its suddenness. With the complexity.

Hart's prose is...the only way I have to describe it is lush. Each word choice flings the senses into abandon. Hart's writing is beautiful and elegant, yet not overly wordy. I'm also drawn into Hart's world but it's a more laid back, sensual affair than Gerritsen's.

Reading them both definitely gave me a lesson in what voice is. Two very distinct voices that do different things for me, yet I love them both.

Now if I could only figure out what exactly my voice is...

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com
http://www.melanylogen.com

Law's Deliverance is out!

We are so excited! Law's Deliverance released from Loose Id. Law and Larissa are both pretty special *Grins* and we're excited to have them go live.

To read an excerpt.

The blurb: Law's been urged to get a sex slave by many before he weds the "right" woman of royalty, but he's never thought about actually doing it. Until he sees Larissa sashay across the stage. She's angry, spunky, and beautiful. Before he knows what he's doing, he's bid on her. And won her.

Larissa's not happy to be won. She's not a sex slave and has no intention of doing what Law or anyone else wants. She soon comes to learn she's been bought by the Prince of Bergogia. Only being royalty has him in as many chains as a slave. With luck, a little hot, heady sex will win him over, and he'll let her go.

Larissa's plan backfires, and Law's more interested than ever. And so is she. But Law can't keep her forever on the side and she can't be his bride. Will Larissa be Law's downfall or his deliverance?

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.melanylogen.com
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com

A hot summer release

I'm so excited. Blood Lines Bitter Love released overnight last night. Amaretto is bomb. I really enjoyed writing him.

Just look at my cover! *points and squeals*

Blurb:

Amaretto is out for a night on the town, a little dinner, a little dancing, maybe a little getting lucky...until he gets a stake in the back. Good thing he really is a vampire.

After getting knocked out by his prey, the would-be vampire hunter, Leif comes to...tied up and at the sexy vampire's mercy. His wannabe slayer days are over. Now he's got no choice but to team up with Amaretto and catch the rogue vampire terrorizing his city.

Soon, their nights are spent pursuing the killer and building sexual tension between them. Leif can't be attracted to a vampire, can he? The sex is hot and there's definitely something there, but Amaretto's not into forevers. Still, he's never been so tempted to try something long term as he is with Leif. When Leif takes off and gets himself into trouble with the killer, who's all too human, it's up to Amaretto to figure out how to save him and whether he can find a love that's never bitter, only sweet.

To read an excerpt.

Mechele Armstrong

http://www.mechelearmstrong.com

http://www.melanylogen.com

Reading tastes

I was actually going to write a serious blog on animals but when I sat down to start, the subject of reading tastes came to mind.

My daughters are 7 and 9. One discovered reading in 2nd grade and began inhaling books. And I do mean inhale. The other has discovered reading this summer and as she says, "Reading's pretty cool."

But I already see they are going to have very different tastes.

The oldest had read the Fudge books by Judy Blume so I thought nothing of getting her Blubber from the library. She wouldn't read it. Wouldn't crack open the cover. She said, "I mostly like fantasy and mysteries." Which is true. She's read all the Harry Potter series, all the Secrets of Droon to date, is three books away from finishing Animorphs, read all the Nancy Drew books in her school library, etc, etc. I could go on and on about the serieses she reads.

The youngest has discovered Mr. Putter and Tabby. She LOVES those books. She's also reading Amelia Bedelia, Froggy, and Dr. Seuss. Animals and humor seem to be her reading of choice. It will be interesting to see if that changes. But I have hopes maybe she'll enjoy The Black Stallion and Misty of Chincoteague.

As for me, I do have genres I prefer but I read outside of them, too. I read a lot of paranormal and erotic romance. But I read animal books out the whazoo when I was a kid, still do, and read a lot of mysteries. Stephen King, thrillers, and romance rounded out my teen years. I think I have a fairly ecletic mixed bag of what I like to read and always did.

I was just wondering if everyone preferred certain genres like my daughters or was more ecletic like me. Did your tastes change with age? What genres do you read in?

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com/
http://www.melanylogen.com/