Thursday, April 28, 2016

The Phone Call That Nearly Ended My Writing Career -Throwback Thursday

12:00 AM 0 Comments

On select Thursdays, I like to share a throwback to past writing, trailers, or randomness about life.

The year was 2005, and I was a fresh-faced newbie to the world of fiction. I'd been writing short stories for oh, two or three years, and I'd dared myself to do the unthinkable: pen a full-length romance. With little clue how to go about it and a very full life (several kids were still at home, plus I was back to college full time while also juggling a full time job), I was nevertheless determined to chug along like the proverbial little train who could.

Then I got the phone call.

Below is the first blog post I wrote after the incident, once I was able to function well enough to get back to blogging. The date was August 2005.


On Head Banging and Writing

I’m ashamed to have it noted for all posterity that my previous (blog) entry was circa February. All I can say is this: one moment I was giddily blogging about the ceaseless joys of writing, the next I was in an emergency room trying to remember whether I had any allergies (and incorrectly reporting the baby’s as my own). Leave it to me to suffer a concussion at my own hand, not by anything glamorous like having saved an old lady from an oncoming train, but by answering a telephone at work in too big a hurry. CLANG.

Not just any concussion, either, but one that brought with it all the wonders of Post Concussive Syndrome: a fabulous ride through the murky depths of trying to relearn how to braid my hair, remember whether I’d brushed my teeth thirty seconds earlier (wet toothbrush suggested I had), and the ever popular "Will I Ever Be Able To Write Again?" Well, I’m here to tell you that there’s no better Blog Crusher than the inability to think, let alone write, in complete sentences. (While I will allow for the fact that some material out there suggests this does not stop everyone, that’s a topic for another time.)

I found it interesting to note that, once the CAT scan came back negative, my biggest fear was whether my writing had suffered a fatal blow. Sure, it bothered me that I could not view a computer screen nor read a book for the first few weeks, and had to wear glasses to manage it for weeks after that. Of course, the jumbled spaghetti-toss that had become my thought process did not bode well for someone in the midst of a college semester. And no, I didn't like being forced to sit in the dark to combat a light sensitivity that even moles would respect. Still, what was really keeping me swirling in a swamp soup over the whole affair was wondering how far down the mountainside of writing progress I’d slid–and whether the equipment I’d been honing for years was too damaged to regain the loss in altitude.

While the answer to this may be obvious by virtue of my humble return to this blog (or, perhaps not), it has brought about some reflection on my part as to why this part of my life was so important. Why must I be able to write? It’s not my bread and butter, nor even the financial equivalent of an olive on my table as of yet. And, while some may consider it self-defeating to downplay one’s hopes, I am practical enough to wager that within my writer’s soul I do NOT hold some genre-defining Tolkienesque masterpiece, nor a H.G. Wells glimpse into a future which will inspire scientific discovery, nor a work of Lovecraftian horror so chilling and astute that it would become a high marker on the totem of frightful comparison. In light of this, it is doubtful that my removal from the writing community would hold any major repercussions for society. Yet, when I am caught up in thoughts of my current work, a future idea, or, as noted above, the thought of NOT writing anymore, it carries a tantamount importance which consumes and, at times, startles me.

I suspect the answer has as many facets as a diamond, and I shall turn that crystal over in my hands for further examination as time permits. For now, I have settled on this one facet of who I am as a writer: someone who must tell a good story, and who relishes the challenge of defining the world around her in new and (hopefully) thought-provoking ways. Or, perhaps I’m just trying to get out of household chores. There’s always room for another facet.

***
image courtesy of clip art panda

...So here I am, almost a dozen years later. The stories have continued, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly...and on rare occasion, not at all. But knock this writer down and my muse WILL get up, stronger and more determined than ever. It's a reassuring thought.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

99 Cents Through Friday! To Tame a Wild Mustang

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My publisher is offering my very first western, To Tame a Wild Mustang, on their site for the special "time machine" price of 99 cents through Friday. Be sure to grab the book that had readers saying:

"a brilliant book..."

"I was hooked."-Black Ravens Reviews

"I felt like I was being whisked away to a long forgotten time" -Black Ravens Reviews

 BUY NOW
To Tame a Wild Mustang
Categories: Erotic Romance, Historical, Menage a Trois/Quatre, Western/Cowboys
Heat Level: SCORCHING
Published By: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.


Kate is hardly an average gal in the old west. She dresses in man's trousers, speaks Hupa indian, and pursues animal medicine—a male vocation. Why should it surprise her to find herself in a shocking, unconventional relationship with two drop-dead sexy cowboys?

William is trying to save his failing ranch by taming wild mustangs with native Indian methods to keep things running while he rebuilds his cattle herd. Jack is the muscled ranch hand who has stuck by William through thick and thin—and stirs something inside of William that he’s never felt for a man. Does Kate, the wild beauty who has lassoed their hearts, have room in hers for them both? And can their love survive a lynch mob determined to see Kate and William hung for a crime they didn't commit?

Excerpt:

“We’ll help put up the horse and wagon,” Jack said in a volume that suggested he was trying to remind her he was standing there, watching. She hadn’t forgotten. His eyes penetrated her to the core, and a shiver went through her at the thought of standing in Jack’s arms the way she was practically doing with William.

“Thanks to you for the escort as well, but I’m perfectly capable of putting up the wagon on my own,” she told him. “I don’t want to hold you two up.”

A lazy smile curved his lips, and her gaze lingered on them a bit longer than was proper. “Two extra sets of hands will ease your task.”

Something shocking flickered in her mind—a thought of what other things two extra sets of hands might be helpful for.

“Besides,” William said, “we’re in no hurry.”

Unable to think of an argument aside from the obvious impropriety of being alone in the dark with two men and her indecent thoughts, she let them help her unsaddle Peaches and get the animal put up for the night. As the pair worked side by side with her, she couldn’t stop herself from wondering what it would be like to have a man like William or Jack helping her with chores every night. Afterward, he’d take her by the hand and lead her inside, where he would watch her brush out her long hair before retiring to the bed they shared.

“Guess that about does it,” William said, jerking her away from her folly. She felt hair prickling along her arms beneath the sleeves of her dress, standing on end from the shock of where her imagination had sent her.

She barely managed to stammer out thanks while they walked back to their horses, and she pulled her shawl tighter around herself when they did. William turned to her, his measuring gaze searching every inch of her face. He pulled off his hat and nodded. “Miss Kate,” he said, his voice dropping to a hoarse whisper while he stepped close. Too close. “There’s somethin’ I’d very much like to do right now, if you’ll forgive me for asking.”

Her breathing grew shallower until it nearly left altogether, and her lips parted slightly. Oh, please, let him kiss me, she thought as he drew even closer. She licked her lips and wavered, deciding whether to let him finish asking or just cut to the chase and meet him halfway.

Her pulse fluttered, and when she couldn’t stand his hesitation any longer, she darted forward and pressed her mouth to his. The sensation was indescribable, sending a shiver through her despite the warmth of her wrap. His lips were hot and pliable, smooth and yet firm.

He stiffened, but she heard a slight groan in his throat.

The sound of Jack clearing his throat brought her back to sanity, and she jerked back. Jack’s eyes were regarding her with undisguised interest. William’s looked a bit glazed.

“Is that what you were going to ask?” she whispered to William.

He cleared his throat. “Actually, I wanted permission to call on you sometime.”

Heat flew to her face. “Oh.” She stepped back and hugged herself. “Well, I’d say you’d better pay call, since you just kissed me.”

He cocked his head. “I believe it were you who kissed me. Ma’am.”

Jack’s chuckle sparked a touch of irritation in her. “Looked that way to me.”
She shot Jack a glare. “He didn’t exactly fight me off.”

William smiled. “Should I have?”

Well, didn’t the two of them look mighty pleased with themselves at her foolishness? She fought off the urge to hit William. “You were the one who said I made an impression.”

He put his hat on and untethered his horse. “Oh, yes, ma’am. And you can consider me duly impressed.”

“Amen,” Jack said, climbing on his horse.

William’s thigh swung up over Windstorm, and he tipped his hat to her. “Night, Miss Marsh.”

Her chest felt like a hammer was trying to beat its way out of it while she watched them trot off into the night.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

A God to the Rescue -Snippet Sunday

12:00 AM 33 Comments
It's Snippet Sunday, a Weekend Writing Warriors'  blog hop!

I worked on a couple projects this week, including Book 5 of my Sons of Herne series, Magic of Midsummer. (Synopsis below.)  Last time, Devinmar, shape-shifting god of Litha, was swimming near a boat in dolphin form when he was struck by something heavy falling overboard. We ended with:

 He tried sonar again, confirming his theory.
The bundle was human.

Let's pick up from there...

Devinmar dove faster, pushing his powerful muscles until he caught up with the sinking human. It was a female, unconscious, and bound with some sort of wide, flat tape. He tried twice to get hold of her with his broad mouth, both cursing his current form and feeling grateful for it. God or not, he would never get her to the surface as a man. He caught hold of her with a firm grip and rose, pulling her against the forces of nature, higher until he could see the light rippling at the ocean surface. They broke through, him with a fierce blast from his blow hole as he drew air. The woman made no gasping sounds--she was limp. He had little time, if it wasn’t too late already. 

Using his snout to keep her head above the whitecaps as much as possible, he pressed for the shore he knew was not far off. His teeth and jaw ached from dragging her to the surface, but he hurried on, intent on saving her.

What do you think?  



About Magic of Midsummer

Hallie wakes up on a beach to find she has been rescued from near-drowning by the most exotically gorgeous--and breathtakingly naked--man she has ever seen. Believing that Devinmar is exceptional is no stretch at all, but falling for his stories about selkie legends and pagan gods is something else. Even if he is who he claims, what he wants from her is even more shocking. Should she give into the temptation of a one-night frolic with a sea god, whose long hair, exquisite beauty, and intense stare beckons her touch? 

Yes. She should.

Devinmar will go to the darkest depths of the sea to gather the powers needed for his Litha ritual, all the while anticipating a night of wild passion with the woman who has stirred him like no other. When he arrives for their rendezvous to discover she has been taken, getting her back could mean missing the deadline for the sabbat--and giving up the energies needed to recharge his power. Still, Devinmar will do what he must to make Hallie safe again--even though he knows that once their midsummer night is spent, he must leave her behind and return to the sea.


About The Sons of Herne:

The god Herne has appointed eight of his most virile, headstrong sons as keepers of the pagan holidays. To honor their sabbat, each must join with a mortal female in a ritual to maintain the balance between worlds.

It is the year of The Thousand Seasons, and the Fates have secretly conspired to mark the end of an era by granting the gods one thing they lack--a true union of male and female that will last beyond the passion of a sabbat joining.

Herne’s sons will wrestle with the conflict between sacred duty and their own yearnings, a struggle will not only challenge their beliefs, but may threaten the success of rituals that must be observed lest the mortal and immortal worlds collide in chaos.

Read Book 1 of the series, Season of Light, for only 99 cents--and follow the link inside to get Book 2 free!
Buy on Amazon

~ * ~ ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ *







For more awesome snippets, check out 


~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 
I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Boost Your Writing Productivity with This Game Changing Technique

12:00 AM 0 Comments
On Select Wednesdays, I post tips and strategies for writers.


Boost Your Writing Productivity With  This Game-Changing Technique
by J. Rose Allister
When I first started writing fiction, I was frustrated. I couldn't produce fast enough to keep up with all the ideas I wanted to write about. I read books on productivity, took a course in fast drafting, began participating in NaNoWriMo, anything that I thought might give my muse a boost. And you know what? It worked.

For a while.

Eventually, I found myself struggling. Production slowed to a crawl. I was burned out and used up. I spent my days feeling bad for not writing more, but when I tried, words didn't come easily. After a while, they wouldn't come at all. I'd hit a wall and couldn't figure out how to reverse course.

Then I stumbled across a game changer that boosted my writing productivity.
This technique is not new, but it is something that the majority of writers haven't tried and probably never considered. It is a simple approach, and yet people shy away from it.

What is it?

YouTube.

Or more specifically, I began targeting my writing goals with a special kind of muse. YouTube is highly useful for writers, and not (just) because you can find tutorials and pep talks about the latest writing software or novel-writing strategy. These are valuable, of course. But keep an open mind, veer off from the How To Write talks and delve into a more creative area: visualization and meditation for writers.

I began using visualization, meditation, and positive affirmation videos first thing in the morning and at night while falling asleep. These reinforce my productive writing mentality and act as subliminal nudges from my muse. Within a few weeks, my productivity went up from an average of a paltry 1k words per week to 10k, stopping there only because that is my current goal.

"But I Can't Meditate! It Takes Too Much Time/Discipline/Mental Control."

Don't worry! The kind of meditation I'm talking about isn't some swami-yogi-spiritualist thing where you sit cross-legged for hours, chanting and clearing your chakras. To get the benefit I found, all you need is your laptop, a pair of headphones (optional, but preferable), and YouTube. I have a playlist of writing-related "boosters" HERE to get you started.


 In the morning, listen to "affirmation" videos as part of your wake-up routine. At night, choose one or two visualization/meditation videos to listen to while falling asleep. These will guide you through a simple exercise of relaxing in your chair/bed while imagining things that will stimulate creativity. Make this a consistent part of your days, and before long, you will likely find your writing has received an infusion of creative energy.

Why Does This Work?

I believe this strategy works for a few reasons. Not to get too scientific about it, but the brain responds to implanted messages. When you consistently reinforce the message that you are a successful, productive writer, that you have creative energy, and that you expect to succeed, your brain takes this to heart, so to speak. You will awaken with the positive expectation that writing will occur, and that you will be satisfied with the results. 

The brain also responds to habit. After a while, sitting in my chair, staring at a blank screen or thinking about how I wasn't writing enough started to become a habit. Using affirming, positive videos over time--within a few short weeks--creates a new and more constructive habit. 

Finally, writing can be a draining pursuit. It takes energy and brainpower to create words on a page, and even more to edit them. Then there's the entire process of publication and promotion. And oh,  yes, chances are that you have an entire life outside of writing: family, a job, a house to run. Trying to produce writing when you're all squeezed out is like trying to start a car that's out of gas. Taking a few minutes to stop at the pump to fill up on positive writing reinforcement will allow your creativity to flow.

How much are you writing at the moment? Average out your daily/weekly word counts for the past few months. Now, try the game changing technique of meditation, visualization, and affirmation to unlock creativity for one month. Then start rechecking your averages. Also, take note of your mental temperature. My satisfaction in writing, as well as life in general, took a big upswing when I applied this to my life. 

Here's a video from the playlist to get you started, called "Meditation to Ignite the Flow of Creativity". 



~*~*~*~
For more gab, please join me on Twitter or Facebook. I love talking to people!

J. Rose Allister is the author of more than twenty-five books, primarily romance and erotic romance. A former editor and submissions director, she now works as a mild-mannered hospital secretary by day, naughty writer by night.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Collision with Fate -Snippet Sunday

12:00 AM 40 Comments
It's Snippet Sunday, a Weekend Writing Warriors'  blog hop!

I've moved on to writing Book 5 of my Sons of Herne series, Magic of Midsummer, this week. (Synopsis below.)  Here's the first snippet from that work, from the opening scene. Devinmar, god of Litha and a half-selkie shape shifter, is in the form of a dolphin and has come alongside a boat, amusing himself by swimming in its wake...

A weight slammed into the surface of the water, square onto Devinmar’s back. He spun out of the boat’s path with the dolphin equivalent of a surprised cry, and the large bulk that had collided with him fell away into the inky darkness. Stunned as he was, Devinmar floated briefly, getting his bearings.
What the devil had hit him? He poked his head above water, blowing out his air hole and watching the white boat disappear in a tumult of churning sea foam. They had lost something important, judging by the size, but the boat gave no indication of turning back.
Curious, he dove underwater, shooting straight down after the abandoned item. His dolphin eyes were not acute enough to see that far, but sounding ahead with sonar turned up a startling fact, one that sped his heart. He tried sonar again, confirming his theory.

The bundle was human.

What do you think?  


About Magic of Midsummer

Hallie wakes up on a beach to find she has been rescued from near-drowning by the most exotically gorgeous--and breathtakingly naked--man she has ever seen. Believing that Devinmar is exceptional is no stretch at all, but falling for his stories about selkie legends and pagan gods is something else. Donning his skin proves he is who he claims, but what he wants from her, well, she isn't quite certain she's up to the task. Should she give into the temptation of a one-night frolic with a sea god, whose long hair, exquisite beauty, and intense stare beckons? 

Yes. She should.

Devinmar will go to the darkest depths of the sea to gather the powers needed for his Litha ritual, all the while anticipating a night of wild passion with the woman who has stirred him like no other. When he arrives for their rendezvous to discover she has been taken, getting her back could mean missing the deadline for the sabbat--and giving up the energies needed to recharge his power. Still, Devinmar will do what he must to make Hallie safe again--even though he knows that once their midsummer night is spent, he must leave her behind and return to the sea.


About The Sons of Herne:

The god Herne has appointed eight of his most virile, headstrong sons as keepers of the pagan holidays. To honor their sabbat, each must join with a mortal female in a ritual to maintain the balance between worlds.

It is the year of The Thousand Seasons, and the Fates have secretly conspired to mark the end of an era by granting the gods one thing they lack--a true union of male and female that will last beyond the passion of a sabbat joining.

Herne’s sons will wrestle with the conflict between sacred duty and their own yearnings, a struggle will not only challenge their beliefs, but may threaten the success of rituals that must be observed lest the mortal and immortal worlds collide in chaos.

Read Book 1 of the series, Season of Light, for only 99 cents--and follow the link inside to get Book 2 free!
Buy on Amazon

~ * ~ ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ *







For more awesome snippets, check out 


~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 
I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Grandma's Scones with Guest T. Strange!

12:00 AM 0 Comments
It's Too Yummy Tuesday!

On select Tuesdays I share delicious recipes either inspired by my books or that are just plain delicious! Today I'm pleased to have guest author T. Strange, author of Char and My Zombie Boyfriend. T. is here to share a grandma recipe--the best kind!  Take it away, T.!


T.: Even before I met my wife, who was working as a baker at the time I wrote Char and largely inspired the story, I loved baking! I didn't attempt anything particularly complicated, but I've been baking scones and pretzels since I was a teenager, and they never last long, so I'm assuming that means people like them. 

My favourite scone recipe is a modified version of one I got from my grandma:

Grandma's Scones by T. Strange

 Ingredients

1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
1 ½ Tablespoons brown sugar (or honey or maple syrup or the sweetener of your choice)
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
"A little milk" (That's what the original recipe calls for. Enough milk to form 'a soft consistency') 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400℉. Combine ingredients. Pull out globs of dough (depending what size you want your scones to be) and place on a baking sheet. 
Bake 12-15 minutes, or until slightly browned.


About Author T. Strange

After enduring several evil stepmothers, T. Strange was finally swept off her feet by a dashing Prince(ss) Charming. Or, in actuality, attempted to sweep the larger Prince(ss) off her feet. They lived happily ever after in the charming, far-away land of Canada with their animal friends. One cat helps with the chores.
Connect with T. here:


Char 
by T. Strange
MM
Buy Now

Char is a foundling, raised in the palace kitchens. When he falls in love with the Prince, he decides to show his love, using a lifetime of knowledge gleaned from watching the cooks and bakers around him, to create the perfect cake. Raoul, the head baker, takes credit for the confection, until Char wins the chance to prove himself, and his love. 

~~~

J. Rose Allister is the author of more than twenty-five books, primarily romance and erotic romance. A former editor and submissions director, she now works as a mild-mannered hospital secretary by day, naughty writer by night. Connect with her on Twitter or Goodreads. She loves talking to people!

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Fate's Plan Interrupted -Snippet Sunday

12:00 AM 40 Comments
It's Snippet Sunday, a Weekend Writing Warriors'  blog hop!

I'm excited to announce that Fire of Beltane, Book 4 of my Sons of Herne series, is out! Find out below how to get Books 1 and 2 for free!

In honor of the release, I'm posting a snippet from Fire of Beltane. Last time,  Jorandil, god of Beltane, had been told by the Fates that his lover, Cadence, was in danger--and that she meant more to him than he cares to admit. We ended with this sentence: “You did not spend your days before the sabbat nursing a quiet heart’s wish to experience true passion between male and female?” Nona asked, and his heart sputtered in reply.

We pick up a few sentences later (creatively edited to meet the snippet format)...

“How far into the future is this vision of her fate?” Jorandil asked.
“Not far, son of Herne,” the Fates answered in tandem.
“The question remains, will you do what your heart demands?” Decuna asked.
“I will help Cadence,” he said. “You must aid me in crossing to the other realm, especially if you had any part to play in our meeting.”
They bobbed up and down in tandem, but before they could reply, the door crashed open—and Herne boiled into the room.
“I have come for an explanation,” he said, his voice booming through the room. He stopped with a puzzled expression when he saw Jorandil spin around to face him. “Son?”



What do you think?  


About Fire of Beltane:
BUY NOW on AMAZON
It is the time of Beltane, and Jorandil, son of Herne, secretly wishes his presence could be known and his touch by the woman chosen as his sabbat partner. Then Cadence comes along, aware of her angel's visit, mesmerized by the beauty of his wings and the power of his touch. Sealing the veil between worlds divides them, but neither can forget the other. And when their pursuit of answers reveals that dire trouble awaits Cadence, a trouble Jorandil was responsible for creating, he must defy his father and risk unleashing an even greater danger to save her.

About The Sons of Herne:

The god Herne has appointed eight of his most virile, headstrong sons as keepers of the pagan holidays. To honor their sabbat, each must join with a mortal female in a ritual to maintain the balance between worlds.

It is the year of The Thousand Seasons, and the Fates have secretly conspired to mark the end of an era by granting the gods one thing they lack--a true union of male and female that will last beyond the passion of a sabbat joining.

Herne’s sons will wrestle with the conflict between sacred duty and their own yearnings, a struggle will not only challenge their beliefs, but may threaten the success of rituals that must be observed lest the mortal and immortal worlds collide in chaos.

Special Offer! Today's the last day to grab Book 1 of the series, Season of Light, direct from Amazon for free! And inside, there's a special link for you to get Book 2 free as well.

~ * ~ ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ *







For more awesome snippets, check out 


~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 
I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

Friday, April 8, 2016

Surprise Release! Jorandil: God of Beltane

12:34 PM 1 Comments
JORANDIL: GOD OF BELTANE
Book 4 of the Sons of Herne series
April 2016

BUY NOW
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A woman is in danger because she surrendered to his passion…

It is the time of Beltane, and Jorandil, half angel and god of the sabbat, knows that the fate of worlds rests on his wings alone. He must find a virgin for the ritual of Beltane, an act that will seal the dangerously thinning veil between realms. But he secretly longs for a woman who will feel his touch. And when he finds Cadence, she stirs something deep inside him—even before she responds with a passion he will never forget.

Cadence is so stressed out with college studies that she wonders whether she hallucinated giving her virginity to a dazzling, erotic angel. When she can’t put aside her feelings over the hot, but all-too-brief encounter, she decides to do something crazy to see Jorandil again. But she has no idea she’ll be putting her life in jeopardy to do it.

Jorandil learns his lover is in grave danger, but his father refuses him passage to the mortal realm. He must risk everything to make a deal with an old enemy, crossing the veil to save the woman he cannot deny he wants for far more than a sabbat fling.

 Excerpt:

He gathered her in his arms, pressing her to his chest just as she’d wanted him to do again since the moment they’d parted. The quivering increased, tears fell, and part of her felt as though she would come apart. She might fall to the floor too, collapsing under the weight of realization. She had narrowly escaped death, rescued by the man she had been seeking. Her guardian angel.
His warmth surrounded her, not just the considerable heat from his muscled body, but an energy that infused her being. Her tears dried, the shaking ceased, and she slid her hands around his back, pulling him closer. His power drove deep, stirring something in her belly, and just that fast, her thoughts shifted direction to something far more erotic and pleasant than the truth of what had just happened. She was aware of Stella still standing nearby, so she did not give in to the urge to slide her hands lower and lift her face to his.
Such an immediate reaction she had to him. Did he feel it too?
Spreading her hands around his taut muscles and squeezing him gave her an intriguing answer. His grip also tightened, and with no space between their bodies now, she felt a twitch from his cock that made it clear he had missed her too. Her hands roamed upward, seeking the spot where his wings had been. There were lumps there, but they were only shoulder blades. Nothing suggested that he was now, or ever had been, an angel, except for the power that radiated from him.
Tipping her head back let her gaze into his eyes, and he took advantage. He leaned close, slowly, and brushed her lips with his. A flood of emotion and longing crashed into her, and she swayed off-balance.
He released his hold and cleared his throat, taking a small, but significant step back. “I’m sorry.”
When she glanced up, there was a glimmer in his eyes that mirrored his regret. Sorry for what? Kissing her? Sleeping with her in the first place?
If they had been alone, she might have drummed up the courage to ask. She swallowed hard and folded her arms. A glance at Stella revealed yet another curious expression. There was an awe there that was unsurprising, all things considered, but a darker current flowed beneath. Concern. Or Fear.
“What’s wrong?” Cadence asked, thinking she was more prepared to hear an answer from the psychic than from the angel beside her.
Stella gave a slow shake of her head. “Something bad.”

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Special! My Bestseller Just 99 Cents Today!

7:05 AM 0 Comments
I just found out my publisher, Siren Bookstrand, is offering HER FULL MOON COWBOYS for just 99 cents today! (Through Friday.)  Read the book that launched my Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series! Watch the exciting trailer below, then get the deal here: http://www.bookstrand.com/her-full-moon-cowboys

HER FULL MOON COWBOYS By J. Rose Allister
Siren Publishing Menage Amour
Rated Sextreme
Erotic | BDSM | M/F,M/F/M, M/M |
Spanking | Double Penetration |Anal Sex |

Lily's plan for a "quiet" weekend escape goes wild when a pack of wolves crash into her cabin. Luckily, a hot, mostly-naked cowboy saves the day--the man who'd triggered her preteen fantasies when her parents rented the same cabin 10 years earlier.

When Chaz reveals the truth about the wolves that are after her--a curse he himself shares--she has to decide whether to shed her hard-kept virginity to let Chaz and his sexy alpha, Kade, claim her as their own.


Monday, April 4, 2016

Dreaming of Cowboys, Vacations, and Secret Projects

12:00 AM 0 Comments
On the first Monday of each month I gab about what's going on with me, my writing, and life in general.

Cowboys


April 1 was April Fools' Day, and it also marked another special day for me on the calendar. Disarming Cowboys, Book 7 of the Lone Wolves of Shay Falls, rode off to the sunset, into the hands of my publisher for approval. Those sexy werewolf cowboys have been a big part of my writing for seven years, and it's been quite a ride. 


Vacations


I take my yearly vacation in July, not April, but this is the month I begin hoping, and dreaming, and planning, and yeah. My husband, an author as well as a costumer and prop maker for the cosplay community, heads to San Diego Comic Con each July. Me, I avoid those teeming convention crowds and stay home with my daughter for a low-key, mother-daughter vacay. This year, I'm planning a surprise for her--a beachfront hotel stay. She loves the beach and will be so thrilled! I want a room with a view, the ability to hear the ocean at night, and preferably, free parking (all for a reasonable fee, of course. I'm a travel tyrant.) Already I've found myself daydreaming about sitting out on an open patio, writing my next book with salt spray in the air and a magnificent sunset ahead. sigh.


Secret Projects


I could tell you ALL about some sooper sekrit projects, but yeah. Secret. I can tell you a few little tidbits...

*I've split off my ultra-hot erotica into another pen name. Don't worry, I'll still be writing smokin' erotic romance as J. Rose. But the extra-xxx stuff, focusing on short stories, will be written separately to streamline reader experience.

*Surprise releases! Warning: books may drop without, er, warning! No more seeing a shiny book cover and a steamy premise, only to discover there's no BUY NOW button because the title isn't out yet and may not be for weeks/months. Get your reading fix right away with surprise releases!

*Birthday club is returning! July's not only my vacation month, but my birthday month too...and I'll be launching my Birthday Club 2.0 to celebrate! Right now, I'm busy preparing a special gift for club members.

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On select Mondays, I like to gab about whatever's going on with me. For more gab, please join me on Twitter or Facebook. I love talking to people!

J. Rose Allister is the author of more than twenty-five books, primarily romance and erotic romance. A former editor and submissions director, she now works as a mild-mannered hospital secretary by day, naughty writer by night.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Chained in a Barn -Snippet Sunday

12:00 AM 42 Comments
Warning: snippet contains profanity

It's Snippet Sunday and my Weekend Writing Warriors'  blog hop!

I thought last week would be the last snippet from Disarming Cowboys, but since I was knee deep in edits for this one all week, I decided to post one more.
(Synopsis and series trailer below.)

Last time, Jayel had been captured by Solomon and his werewolf pack, and his handsome, but irritating beta, David, had given her a thorough pat-down to check for weapons. We finished with, “Hurry the hell up,” she snapped. “This isn’t a joyride.”

Let's skip ahead a few sentences, after the pack finished confiscating her weapons and she was taken to a ranch to be held hostage.

We pick up with the start of Chapter Two...


“Mama!”
The word flew out of Jayel’s mouth as she snapped awake from the dream. The old living room dissolved from view, leaving her inside a barn alone.
“Shit,” she whispered, sniffing back unwanted tears.
Shifting around brought a groan to her lips. She had drifted off while slumped between the barn wall and the metal post she was chained to, and now her neck was stiff and her ass protested hours of sitting on a thin layer of straw.
How long had she been asleep? Based on the chill in the air and the pale gray light filtering through the barn, she’d guess early morning. She’d stayed awake well into the night trying to get the chains off, but it had been no use. Her bruised wrists were slender, but not thin enough to slip the manacles.
She was tugging at them again when the sound of the barn door being shoved open silenced Jayel’s efforts, and she held her breath to listen. 

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What do you think?  

About Disarming Cowboys:
Jayel has hunted werewolves since the night they killed her parents and turned her brother into one of them. Now, wolves from the pack who destroyed her life want her help—and some are willing to chain her up in order to get it. One of her annoyingly gorgeous captors, David, has an erotic, animal nature that gives her the shivers. And just her luck, when Jerrod, a sexy, white-hat hero, offers to rescue her, she discovers that he, too, is a werewolf. One of them can’t claim her fast enough, while the other will do his best to fight the insatiable instinct to make a werewolf killer his mate. 

Unsettling urges stir in Jayel at the worst moment imaginable. Her long-ignored sex life should be the last thing on her mind, yet the very beings she vowed to hate have awakened her to the possibility of a life beyond revenge. But between an enemy making ultimatums on the allied packs, an unstable alpha who wants her head on a platter, and her own unfinished werewolf business, Jayel will face unforeseen consequences of her vengeance quest—and the results could end all hope of happiness with the wolves who can no longer live without her.

Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series trailer:




Read Book 1 of the series, Disowned Cowboys, now available on Amazon!

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For more awesome snippets, check out 


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I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

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