Friday Night, Ladies' Night

Thinking of crawling back into bed today?  I bet you are now.

Upcoming places I'll be:

Sep 28	Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog
Oct 3	Mark of the Stars
Oct 4	Romance in the Backseat
Oct 4	Top Ten Reasons to Buy This Book
Oct 5	Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Oct 5	Jennifer Jakes' Blog
Oct 5	Caroline Clemmons' Blog
Oct 6	Hope. Dreams. Life...Love
Oct 6	Amie Louellen's Blog
Oct 7	Sandra's Blog
Oct 9	Sweet and Sassy--the Blog of Kellie Kamryn
Oct 10	Megan Johns Invites
Oct 11	My Odd Little World
Oct 11	Rachel Leigh Romance
Oct 12	Black Velvet Seductions
Oct 13	Lisa Sanchez Romance
Oct 14	Delaney Diamond's Blog
Oct 28	Jennifer Jakes' Blog
	Stop by and comment! Certain blogs have giveaways for books and gift cards :-)

Happy Writing!

Blog Tours--Cue Star Wars Soundtrack

Today I'm kicking off a roughly two week blog tour. Exciting? Yes! Nervous? Yes, but you won't hear any complaints from me. I've dreamed of this opportunity since I followed a blog tour with a group of Wild Rose Press authors last year.

So, here it is--the official schedule:

Sep 28	Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog
Oct 3	Mark of the Stars
Oct 4	Romance in the Backseat
Oct 4	Top Ten Reasons to Buy This Book
Oct 5	Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Oct 5	Jennifer Jakes' Blog
Oct 5	Caroline Clemmons' Blog
Oct 6	Hope. Dreams. Life...Love
Oct 6	Amie Louellen's Blog
Oct 7	Sandra's Blog
Oct 9	Sweet and Sassy--the Blog of Kellie Kamryn
Oct 10	Megan Johns Invites
Oct 11	My Odd Little World
Oct 11	Rachel Leigh Romance
Oct 12	Black Velvet Seductions
Oct 13	Lisa Sanchez Romance
Oct 14	Delaney Diamond's Blog
Oct  28	Jennifer Jakes' Blog
	Yes, I am in a couple places at the same time.  That's the beauty of doing a tour online--no need to clone yourself. Stop by and comment!  Certain blogs have giveaways for books and gift cards :-) Happy Writing!

Top Ten Reasons You Should Watch Dancing With the Stars

10.          Just to piss off the super-conservatives who don’t like Chaz Bono.
9.            To be there for Ron Artest’s next name change to Mr. Turd  Ferguson.
8.            To totally get styling tips from Carson Kresley (oh, how I miss Queer Eye).
7.            It’s part of the celebrity-melt-down scavenger hunt and David Arquette is next on the list.
6.            To watch the husky celebrities shrink (I actually do love that where Jenny Craig has failed, moving butts succeeds)
5.            It’s a one-Kardashian limit I can handle.
4.            To watch Nancy Grace successfully refute the judges criticisms of her dancing.
3.            To make bets and watch the progress of the Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas hook-up.
2.            Derek Hough, Val Chmerkovskiy, Mark Ballas, and Tristan MacManus
1.            Maksim!  Maksim!  Maksim!

Happy Writing!

Cherie Markshttp://www.cheriemarks.com
Facebook--http://on.fb.me/qRl1lD
Into the Fire available from The Wild Rose Press, October 5, 2011

Six Sentence Sunday--Into the Fire

It's time again to have a little six sentence fun.  Into the Fire releases October 5, 2011, and my excitement (and anxiety) is building. Until then, I hope to tempt readers with excerpts from this story about what happens when two chefs with a romantic past go head to head on a reality show. In this scene, Luke serves his meal to the judges, and the dishes are familiar to Shyann.

With the exception of the harissa, he had recreated the meal he’d made for her on their fourth date. It was melt-in-her-mouth delicious, and one of the reasons she’d begun to fall for him. Rarely was she impressed by other chef’s abilities, but he certainly had found a way with that meal. And with a rush of arousal, she recalled how the evening ended as well. The dessert had been unforgettable as he hand-fed the Bosc pear in a rose wine and persimmon sauce to her, then took the extra sauce and her to the bedroom. She was heating up just thinking about it.

Read more Six Sentence Sundays here, or sign up to participate next week.

Happy Writing!

Cherie Marks
http://www.cheriemarks.com
Facebook--http://on.fb.me/qRl1lD
Into the Fire available from The Wild Rose Press, October 5, 2011

Friday Night, Ladies' Night

What do you think? Or have you lost all ability to think?

Top Ten Reasons Man Candy is an Essential Nutrient

Many blogs, including this one (Friday Night, Ladies’ Night), offer a little gorgeous inspiration daily, once a week, or at least once in a while.  Now, honestly, I’ve been known to sneak a glance or two at some fantastic offerings (Man Candy Monday, Thrusty Thursday, Tempting Tuesday, etc.), and this week’s Top Ten is why man candy is a necessary nutrient for the romantic mind.  So, without further ado, here we go:

10.          Because in real life, a man that good looking would probably be high maintenance.
9.            No cheesy lines come from those beautiful lips.
8.            No matter how much we talk about...anything, he can’t get enough.
7.            Our intentions are charitable.  We’re searching high and low for the shirts and buttons these poor men have misplaced.
6.            It’s a learning experience:  How many abs make a six-pack (oops, I gave it away).
5.            A woman can’t live on chocolate alone (you may beg to differ).
4.            Nothing gets lost in translation.  He knows exactly what we need.
3.            Research!  Research!  Research!
2.            We can meet him in robe and slippers, no make-up, hair a mess, and he never complains.
1.            How else am I supposed to get Gerard Butler in my house without federal prosecution?

If your mouth is watering for man candy, feel free to visit any or all of the linked blogs for a man almost every day of the week: 

Man Candy Monday--Jennifer Jakes
Tempting Tuesday--J. D. Elliot
Wake-Me-Up-Wednesday--Renee Vincent
Thrusty Thursday--Meg Maguire
Friday Night, Ladies’ Night--Cherie Marks

***UPDATE*** As you may have noticed, I was missing a day--Wednesday.  Fortunately, Renee Vincent was kind enough to offer up a little sweet man candy for that day.  Check out Past the Print for Wake-Me-Up-Wednesday.  You'll won't regret it.

Happy Writing!

Cherie Marks
http://www.cheriemarks.com/
Into the Fire available October 5, 2011 from The Wild Rose Press

Six Sentence Sunday--Into The Fire

Into the Fire's release date is so close. October 5, 2011 will be here before I know it. Until then, I hope to tempt readers with excerpts from this story about what happens when two chefs with a romantic past go head to head on a reality show. In this scene, Shyann gets an opportunity to confront Luke, but his reaction isn't what she expects.

"It’s like you disappeared.”

His lowered lids widened, and the surprise on his face threw her for a moment. But it was quickly replaced with a fierce anger as he focused on someone or something behind her. “I did come for you, Shyann. I’ll always come for you.”

When his gaze lit on her again, his eyes softened, and he relaxed his arms, brushing a knuckle over one of her cheeks.

Read more Six Sentence Sundays here, or sign up to participate next week.

Happy Writing!

Cherie Marks
http://www.cheriemarks.com
Facebook--http://on.fb.me/qRl1lD
Into the Fire available from The Wild Rose Press, October 5, 2011

Friday Night, Ladies' Night

Whatever he's looking for down there, I'll help him find it!

Happy Writing!

http://www.cheriemarks.com
Into the Fire available October 5, 2011

Top Ten Reasons to Change Publishers

Whether New York all the way or independent through and through, we all want to make sure we’re making the best decisions for our babies (read: books), and it’s not always easy to find the right house for your work, but here are ten reasons you might consider changing publishers.

10.  Your publisher is your Great-Aunt Martha who prints books in her basement.

9.    A clause in your contract says you must wear MC Hammer pants to publishing functions.

8.    Your publisher still uses papyrus as its publishing medium.

7.    Your book cover artist’s stick figures just aren’t sexy enough.

6.    To determine the publishing queue for the year, the other authors and you must battle it out in a Hunger Games-like competition.

5.    Your female editor ends every conversation with, “Who’s your daddy?”

4.    The publisher is willing to publish if you change the characters, the setting, the plot, oh…and the author.

3.    Your publisher pays you in gum (and it’s not even Trident Layers).

2.    Your Star Wars addicted editor insists you put the words “I am your father” in every book.

1.    For every 1000 books you sell, you win the leg lamp from A Christmas Story.

Six Sentence Sunday--Into the Fire

I'm late!  I'm late!  For a very important date.  Before I begin, I want to send out love and prayers to our military, firemen, policemen, and all the first responders and to all those who lost loved ones.  We will never forget.

Into the Fire's release date is so close. October 5, 2011 will be here before I know it. Until then, I hope to tempt readers with excerpts from this story about what happens when two chefs with a romantic past go head to head on a reality show. In this scene, Shyann and Luke just found themselves together in the pantry...alone.

Hell, as soon as she got out of here, she was

going for blood. Then she was going for his balls,

with her soccer goal kick, baby.

She should have known he was up to no good,

but the minute his hands had landed on her hips,

she’d been lost to sensation. His spicy aroma, heated

touch, and magic kiss had made her lose her mind,

and before she’d known up from down, he’d had his

mouth on her breasts and his hand down her pants,

giving her an incredible, albeit ill-timed, orgasm.

Why did he have to work her body so good?

Especially when he was so bad for her.

Read more Six Sentence Sundays here, or sign up to participate next week.

****NEW--see Into the Fire book trailer here:

Happy Writing!

Friday Night, Ladies' Night

  Enjoy!!!

Top Ten Reasons to Plot Your Story First

I am such a plotser (combination plotter and pantser).  I might or might not write my plot down, but I know most of the key points in my story before I get too far into it.  Let's face it, though I feel it steals some of my creativity, I would do myself a lot better if I could plot everything up front.  So, here are my top ten reasons to plot.

10.  Teacher told you to.  (As an educator, I fully endorse this reason)
9.    Fashion is so unreliable, you never know if you are wearing the current en vogue pants to write in today.
8.    You get to use all those colorful post-it notes, cards, timelines, and you get to make collages.
7.    You don't want to be a Moses--wandering around for forty years on the same project.
6.    All the cool writers are doing it.  (As an educator, I can't endorse this reason really)
5.    When someone asks, "What's your story about?", you might actually know.
4.    People take you more seriously as a writer (Bwahaha, excuse the snorting and laughing coming from myself).
3.    Plot holes big enough to walk through are avoided (Now they're only big enough to get your upper body through).
2.    The writing thing is too easy if you don't add something exciting and complicated to it.
1.    I need one more thing to distract me from writing.

Happy Writing!

Cherie Marks
http://www.cheriemarks.com
Into the Fire available October 5, 2011

Six Sentence Sunday--Into the Fire

Into the Fire's release date is so close.  October 5, 2011 will be here before I know it.  Until then, I hope to tempt readers with excerpts from this story about what happens when two chefs with a romantic past go head to head on a reality show.  In this scene, the director tries to get them fired up for the competition.

Then he turned toward the set and, just as the harried woman from earlier came running back in, addressed Shyann and Luke.  "I really need you two to heat up the competition.  A little playful trash talk, some sabotage, hell, the show is about the best food for a date.  Kiss if the mood hits you."

Their gazes collided for one heated moment, and Shyann barely checked a shiver at the thought of his mouth on hers.  That would no longer be her first choice for must-see-TV, would it?

Read more Six Sentence Sundays here, or sign up to participate next week.

 

Here's a little more information about Into the Fire:

 

 

Months after he stole her affections—then her executive chef position—Shyann and Luke meet again under sizzling circumstances, competing head-to-head on a televised cooking show called Kitchen Twist. Each arrives with a motive: Luke intends to win back Shyann’s heart, even as she wants closure on the not-so-tasty heartbreak he once served up.

Luke knows culinary masterpieces require a delicate touch, but that knowledge is tossed out with the leftovers as he works to show Shyann he’s not such a bad guy. Now he pushes his skills to the limit to win the competition and satisfy a bet.

Can two top chefs resist each other as they move out of the pan and into the fire?

Happy Writing!

Friday Night, Ladies' Night

Oh, wow, that white looks too clean.  Might be time to get a little dirty.  Tee hee.

Happy writing!

Cherie Marks
http://www.cheriemarks.com (the website is finally up and working)
Into the Fire available October 5, 2011 from The Wild Rose Press--buy link on the right side of this blog.