Straight No Chaser - 12 Days (original from 1998)

I first heard this on the radio and it sounded just like a typical version until they started singing the days out of order and intermixed other Christmas songs into it. What really sold me on this song was the very end. Anyone that can set the Twelve Days of Christmas to the tune of Africa by Toto has my vote! Watch this awesome video. Ten million other people can't be wrong. :-)

Your Quota of cute for the day - Surprised Kitty (Original)

Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen?

Seeking Truth in Print today!!!

I'm thrilled! Seeking Truth has been released by Ellora's Cave IN PRINT! And even cooler, EC has a sale on right now so you can get ST on sale from them for $15 instead of the $18.99 release price. Click here for more...

Interview with Mace Walker, FBI Agent by Jeanne St. James

I'd like to welcome my guest today, Jeanne St. James. Today she interviews Mace Walker, the hero of her new release Banged Up.

***

1. Mace, what made you want to become an FBI agent?

I know this may sound corny, but I really wanted to fight crime. I considered becoming a police officer but love challenges and I knew it was a challenge to get into the FBI. I can't resist a challenge whether it has to do with my job… or getting the attention of an attractive female.

2. How long have you done it? Is it in your genes?

Right out of college. I obtained my B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Spanish.

Since I speak Spanish it didn’t take much to learn Italian. I sort of look Italian so the agency thought I’d fit right in with the Mafia. Manni Spinozi is one of the worst mob bosses out there. After three years of being a junior agent, I went undercover to infiltrate the Spinozi family.

No, it’s not in my genes. My father was a college professor. No one that I know of in my family was in law enforcement.

3. Have you ever shot anyone?

Yes. I’ve shot several subjects. I’ve killed one out of self-defense. He was actually Spinozi’s brother. He shot me first when I was “made” by the family. Half of my thigh is gone. It’s an ugly injury and put me out of commission.

4. So you are out on disability right now? How do you like that forced vacation?

Yes. I am doing physical therapy, trying to redevelop the remaining muscle in my thigh. I walk with a slight limp when it is bothering me. I want to work my way back to full strength so I can get back to work.

I needed a break, so I’m not complaining too much. But I wish it was just a vacation and not a “recovery.” I was getting pretty worn out physically and mentally playing the role of a mob thug 24/7.

5. Are you glad to be home?

Yes, I was gone – deep undercover – for two years. So it’s nice to be back home, being myself and not having to act a part.

Though I came home to find a stranger in my house.

6. A stranger? Who was it?

Yes, I had no idea someone was living in my house besides my sister. It has made being home a little more interesting. And that’s putting it mildly.

You’ll have to read Banged Up, which is my story, to find out who she is.

7. Do you have any siblings?

Yes, one sister, Maxi. She was living in my house while I was away undercover. But I came home to find out she had married and went on an extended European honeymoon. Apparently, she let this stranger live in my house while she is gone.

8. How about love interests?

A man doesn’t kiss and tell. But if you really want to know, again, you’ll have to read Banged Up which available now at Liquid Silver Books.

9. What do you think about a story that was written about you?

I found it interesting… I can’t complain about the steamy scenes and I really liked the ending.

***

Find out more about Mace Walker in Banged Up by Jeanne St. James – available NOW at Liquid Silver Books (www.tinyurl.com/bangedup). You can read about Banged Up, including an excerpt, at her website at http://www.jeannestjames.com/.

Keep up to date with erotic romance author Jeanne St. James by checking out her blog at http://jeannestjames.blogspot.com/, her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/jeannestjames, her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jeannestjames. And she Twitters at www.twitter.com/jeannestjames.

Jeanne also has a m/m erotic novella, Rip Cord (http://tinyurl.com/phze-ripcord), available now at Phaze as part of their “rebel” themed Heatsheets (http://www.phaze.com/rebel.html) and a m/m/f interracial ménage a trois, Double Dare, releasing at Loose Id in January.

Guest tomorrow - author Jeanne St. James

Tomorrow, I'll host a guest blogger - author, Jeanne St. James!!

Stop by when she interviews Mace Walker the hero of her new book Banged Up available NOW from Liquid Silver Books.

They like me...They really like me!

Another fun day at Romanticon. Breakfast buffet this morning and I had fun and interesting table mates. Then I attended a "the readers speak" session on BDSM romances - fascinating discussion facilitated by Meghan Conrad. Yaaaay Meghan!

Then I was off to Author Mania. Here's a pic of me with the lovely and fun Natasha Moore. We were scheduled for the same time slot for signing. All the G-Ms were together.

Romanticon had made these wonderful booklets for all of us. These things have everything - all the handouts - workshop schedules but also spaces to have authors, cover models etc. to sign your book. So everyone ran around manically trying to get everyone to sign our books. In the course of the day I got a good many authors, some wonderful readers and even a few of the cover models.

In the evening there was the opportunity for a picture taken with the cover models...and the dudes were shirtless. Sweet. Oh so sweet.

Here is the ever sexy and sweet Cris Anson having her pic taken with the men of the hour. Yes, I did get my pic taken with them. However, I didn't get the chance to have anyone take my photo (other than Will Duke - ECer and photographer extraordinaire) take a shot of me having WAY too much fun.

Once I get a copy of my pic I'll try to scan it and post it. I'm definitely framing the pic. Then we all lined up to enter the Appreciation dinner. There was a bit of a long line and a bit of a wait but it was well worth it. Well, to begin with I had some great table mates. We did have a couple of cover models at our table - two of the ladies of EC. They were gorgeous and very nice.

I also was seated with talented writer Jory Strong. She had participated in the male/male workshop yesterday and she's just a fun and intriguing lady. It was a treat to talk to her.

During dinner we were treated to another dance number by the gorgeous and talented Ellora's Cavemen.

They danced to "You Can Keep Your Hat On" which is one of my favorite songs. And damn...they were hot. Many, many women were screaming encouragement and fanning themselves from the heat generated.

We all enjoyed a wonderful supper during the evening then there was a raffle to give away a good many baskets contributed by EC authors. There were also awards given by EC to some of their authors.

I knew I was going to be called up for one because it was listed in the event book. Attending authors with new releases with EC this year were given certificates and little statuettes proclaiming us "2009 Rising Stars". It was such an honor to receive one of these awards. Here is me with my award and certificate. (Thanks Kendra for taking my pic).

There were also some other awards presented by the EC staff. They called these "superstar" awards. Well, you know what? I received one of these fun awards. For my discussion of guns and what to do with them in Protect and Defend, I was presented with the "Amusing Innuendo Award." I was shocked and really happy. They like me...they really like me! It was fun because these awards were presented by the cover models. The gorgeous Angelo handed me my award and because it was unexpected, I don't have a pic of it. However, Will was on hand with his camera so I think I'll be able to snag a copy from somewhere. Having the sexy and gentlemanly Angelo deliver the award was icing on the cake. Yum.

Finally, the staff at EC was recognized for all their hard work. I enjoyed seeing how much comradery there is at EC. EC is fortunate to have a great group running the show and it made me feel even more fortunate for my book to have been accepted and published by this super publisher.

After the party I made a run back to my room to change into something comfortable and most especially comfortable shoes!!! Then I headed to the bar for some convivial chatter. I joined Natasha Moore, Kendra (reader and cover artist) and Tasha (reader and aspiring author) for a fun time. Conversation and laughter ruled the night.

I have to say this has been an incredibly fun experience. I've had the opportunity to meet some of my favorite authors (cause I was an EC reader long before I'd entertained a single thought about writing for EC). I've also met some wonderful readers, reviewers and all around good people who love erotic romance. The staff at the Quality Inn have been warm and friendly - even with all of us running around like crazy people. This has been a great experience - well worth the ten hour drive.

I will DEFINITELY be attending Romanticon again next year and I hope I'll see YOU there too!

Fabulous Friday at Romanticon

I woke up this morning to find the EC trailer parked outside my window. If anyone was wondering where the heck we were, I think this VERY large item in the parking lot by the road answers the question! LOL

As days go, today was a total and complete blast!

I had lunch with the wonderful Jude Atkins, Cerridwen Press author and founder of http://bookswelove.net/ . She knows tons of stuff about author promo (in fact she's a co-presenter of a workshop on the topic). Plus she was just a joy to talk to. She made the trip here from Canada and had an...interesting...experience with her flight. Snow and delays factor in, but I'm so glad she made it.

I spent the afternoon attending workshops. The first was about the Author/Editor relationship cast as an arranged Victorian marriage featuring Raelene Gorlinsky (in the top hat) and author brides: Lynn LaFleur, Samantha Kane & Kristin Daniels.

The workshop was really informative but it was loose enough to ask questions and just have fun. I'm really enjoying the atmosphere of the con (conference/convention). The Jasmine Jade crew has done a super job organizing this event!

The second workshop was one where Raelene encouraged authors to have friends act out scenes to see whether or not what you've written is even physically possible...or do you need three arms to carry things out as written.

It turns out, it would require a male weregiraffe to kiss the nipples of a woman sitting in his lap facing forward. This actually sounds like a great way to make sure action scenes work - I'm just not sure my friends would be willing to act as guinea pigs. Maybe if I plied them with alcohol...

The third workshop was a great discussion of the up and coming (no pun intended) male/male genre. Authors Jory Strong, Kaenar Langford, and Samantha Kane were ably assisted by editor Meghan Conrad. This was fun and funny. I will definitely say that Kaenar is the queen of research. OMG...

I learned so much from listening to Jory, Kaenar and Samantha discuss their writing. I'm really inspired. I may have to give male/male a try.

In the evening we all enjoyed the Psychedelic soiree. Cover models, sixties clothes, and dancing...oh my! Here's me in all my plump peachiness rocking it out on the dance floor. To my

right is dancing queen Cris Anson. If you check out her web site the pic of her is a demurely sexy, elegant lady. Well she's all that - but she's a party animal too.

I had such a fun night. I even got to dance with a couple of the cover models. Now THAT was very fun. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of those highly pleasurable moments. Pout. Oh well. Another time. Like RT maybe.

I closed out my evening with a strawberry daiquiri at the bar with Mari Freeman, Samantha Kane, Kelli Collins, Kaenar Langford, Kathleen Coddington and Kathy Kulig, et al. It was a pleasant way to spend the end of the night. I'm meeting so many cool people here and I'm having so much fun. Wish you all could be here too!

It's almost two in the morning and I need to go to bed so I can get up tomorrow and go do it all over again.