Leaving on a Jet Plane

For the Romantic Times convention tomorrow! YEEHAW! I'm (mostly) packed and (kinda) ready. And I'm really looking forward to it.

For anyone who subscribes to my newsletter, it will be late since I won't be back from the convention until Sunday, May second. That means it will either go out the third or, if I'm still busy groaning from exhaustion, the fourth. Also, since I'd have to pay ten dollars a day for internet service I won't be doing my RT post here until I get back. That also means that odds are good I won't be answering any emails either. So if you need to get hold of me... Um.

That said, maybe I'll make one of the cover models from RT my Hottie of the Month? Hmm...

I Have A New Look!

So I got a haircut and new glasses this week. I went strawberry blonde (with fuschia highlights because, well, I'm weird that way) and black glasses with this really cool scroll work on the arms. When I mentioned it on Facebook, someone said "PICTURES! How will we find you at RT if you look completely different?" And I looked at my profile picture and thought, you know, she's right.

So. Pictures. Not the best shots of me, but when I get back from RT I'll have someone do a more professional head shot. For now, you're stuck with the "I took this in the bathroom with my arms all the way out" shot.

P.S.: Surprisingly, since I only cut off my hair because I fried it (long story) I like the new hairstyle. I haven't had bangs since... well. A LONG time ago!

Time for A Little Nookie...

Two days ago I bought a Nook. It arrived the day after I ordered it, surprising the hell out of me (and Dusty, who didn't know I'd ordered one).

I have already changed its name from "My Nook" to "My Precious". Dusty just rolled his eyes, but he can't fool me. I saw his fingers twitching. The minute I pop some Sci Fi books on there that sucker will go missing, I just know it.

Okay, truth is, I want him to take a look at it. I want him to yearn for his own to hug and love and call George. I spent all day with mine yesterday while trying to stave off a migraine and, once I figured out how to change my .pdf's into .epub's (Calibre works wonders and is free!) and "side-load" the books onto it, I had a blast. The battery life was excellent, the books easy to read. Even the flicker when the pages turned couldn't dim my enjoyment, especially when I figured out I could play (softly, the speakers aren't that great) music on the damn thing. I bought the Lyra Light book light from B&N and because it's bendable I was able to aim the light off to the side, saving my aching head while still being able to read.

It's just the thing to soothe the savage bibliophile. Admittedly there is no web browser, but my HTC Hero can handle that just fine, and I don't mark up my books, so that function is unnecessary if it even exists on the Nook. The Nook won out for me over other ebook readers on on a) I can add a microSD card, upping the amount of book storage (and I have a LOT of ebooks) and b) That scrolling color bar at the bottom of the page. That thing rocks. I can open my music player while my book sits pristine and untouched; I can flip through menus, pick what page I want to read from, and all the while the e-ink section remains still and calm.

Can you tell I likey?

And the cover I picked up for it?

Last Week: Why Me?

So. Yeah. Last week. What to say about last week? We found out that our dog, Precious, aka Houdini Dog, needs surgery for her torn ligament. Despite our attempts at restraining her and keeping her from using stairs she insists on jumping boxes and other obstacles while three-legged and is still the terror of our neighborhood squirrels. In fact, the boxes we set on the stairs to keep her off them were still in place, yet we woke up to find the dog by the side of the bed wagging her tail and standing on three legs. Even the cat looked confused at that one.

I had an eye appointment with my son R that had to be missed due to... well. You'll see. I got almost all my promo for RT assembled, found a suitcase my fairy wings fit into that isn't going to kill me moving it and I got my word count done for the first time in MONTHS. The weather this year has been kicking my ass left and right, but last week I was on the ball and nearly hit the 40k mark with Norwegian Wood. I also got rid of the fifteen year old monstrosity that came with my house, aka, The Fridge of Death. I hit my damn head so many times on the sharp pointy freezer handle just trying to get a damn soda I'm surprised I'm not drooling in a corner somewhere cackling about tiny bubbles. I've been planning on replacing it since the day I moved in almost seven years ago.

Procrastination. I is da queen.

It just so happened that Sears was having a sale this weekend, so Friday we braved the rain and off we went to look at a new fridge. We found one we loved: french door style, ice maker on the front, the freezer has an "auto-open" part to the drawer that made Dusty squee like a fashionista at a Saks sale. Needless to say, we bought it and arranged to have it delivered.

And on the way home, in the Burger King drive-thru, the engine light went on in our car. Our car that we JUST paid off. Our car that was officially out of warranty less than a month ago. Our ONLY car since we sold our other one after paying IT off to some friends in desperate need of a second vehicle.

Gah.

The car is in the shop now. The fridge is in the kitchen, shiny and happy and unwilling to give me a concussion (rounded handles... gotta love them). My eye appointment and Precious's surgery have to be rescheduled.

And my word count is calling my name on a fresh week. And did I mention I have to fill out some Mad Libs for the Sinfully Sweet party at RT?

Hell, at least I don't need a car for that.

New Contract: Noble Blood!

Noble Blood has a contract (and a page on my website!) Jaden, Duncan and Moira will be out some time in January, 2011!

Noble Blood
The Gray Court Book 2
Length: Novel
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Red Hots! (M/M/F Menage)
Publication Date: January 2011

Lord Duncan Malmayne has found his true bond, the lovely leprechaun Moira Dunne. For him, it's love at first sight. But something is missing from his relationship with the fiery red-head, something that prevents him from completing the Claiming and making Moira his forever.

Moira thinks she knows what's missing: Jaden Blackthorn, Gray Court vampire and Duncan's bond brother. The depression that weighs her down is tripled in her full-blooded Sidhe's heart. Could their problems stem from the rare condition called mate sickness?

Jaden is both heartbroken and elated that the two people he loves most in the world are together. They both deserve the very best, and Jaden can't think of two more deserving people. But trouble is brewing in the Malmayne clan, and when he's forced back into their lives by the Hob, all three will discover just what pleasure a tribond can be…

BUNNY!

Bear Necessities

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Red Hots!
ISBN: ??
Length: Novel
Price: $5.50
Publication Date: July 27, 2010

To hold onto his love, he must release his beast.

Halle Shifters, Book 1

Once a Bear sets his mind on a mission, it's best to stay out of his way. Alexander "Bunny" Bunsun is that Bear. Something's not right with his cousin Chloe, and he's come to Halle, PA, to sort it out, turn his Harley around and head home to Oregon. Until an enticing scent lures him into the local tattoo shop.

There she is. An inked, Southern-drawled she-Wolf with lime-green hair. His perfect mate.

Tabitha Garwood's rotten day just got worse. Her Outcast status makes her a target for harassment with alarming regularity. And now, in the middle of a root touch-up, looking like a half-melted Skittle, she's met her destined mate. The only upside? She finally has a protector in the form of a huge, tattooed, shaved-head Bear who vibrates with carefully restrained power.

When Chloe is left for dead and Tabby is threatened, only Alex can keep his growing family safe. Giving Tabby the loving home she needs, though, could come at a price - Alex must give up the control he's worked a lifetime to attain.

Which means someone could die at the hands - and claws - of his beast.


Warning: This novel contains explicit sex, graphic language, a hunky Bear named Bunny and... Yes. I said a Bear named Bunny. I don't know about you but I'm not brave enough to make fun of it.

Cover Pretties!

Look what I got!

Don't they look pretty together?

CONTEST!

CONTEST! I'm giving away a signed print copy of Dare to Believe!

Here's how to enter: Simply go to my Contact Me page on my website (it has its own button, so even if you just go to www.danamariebell.com you can get there). Enter your name (needed for announcing a winner, so you can use a handle if you wish) and your email address (important for notifying the winner). Once the winner is announced I'll contact them to get mailing info, so no need to send it now. And that's it! Easy, no?

The contest ends May 3rd. The winner will be announced here and on my website.

He'll fulfill her wildest fantasies… but only if she believes.

The Gray Court, Book 1

Leo Dunne has been searching his entire life for the one person born just for him. He finds her working in his own company, but the shy little Ruby Halloway constantly hides from him. He hatches a devilish plot with her best friend to bring her out of her shell, and the result proves her desire is more than a match for his own.

Ruby has had the hots for her boss for some time now, but she knows business and pleasure shouldn't mix. While that can't stop a girl from dreaming, she sticks by her guns and does her best never to be alone with the handsome CEO. Until the company masquerade party, where she discovers a passion with him that leaves a mark on her soul.

A family emergency calls Leo away, and rather than spend one night out of Ruby's arms, he convinces her to go with him. With his brother's life on the line, it's vital she learn how to deal with who, and what, her new lover really is…before it's too late.

Warning: This book contains explicit sex, graphic language, some violence, a bit of bondage, and a Sidhe Lord determined to claim and protect what is his.