I’m not easy with the idea of using fate or even luck to control our lives, and I think we desperately need to start taking responsibility for our world, or make our own luck as the sign says. I hear so much, “if it’s meant to happen, it will,” and even I use this from time to time. But there’s a certain level of laziness that goes along with this saying. Instead of waiting for a higher power to control your life have you ever wondered if maybe fate is thinking, “Good God, get off your butt and do something about your life instead of relying on me!” I found this quote and it fits perfectly with the way I’ve been leaning lately:

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” –Walt Disney

In other words, you can want to be a writer, but unless you actually start writing it won’t happen. But merely writing isn’t going to get you anywhere unless you believe in yourself. When I decided to become a writer I knew in my bones it would happen even though I hadn’t a clue how. After years and years of rejection I actually have the sort of career I’d always dreamt of. I could have give up many times. After my hundredth rejection I could have said, “Perhaps it’s not meant to be.” But I’m certainly glad I didn’t!

If we’re confident in ourselves and don’t mind hard work and learning from our mistakes, I believe we can do anything. Wishing and dreaming are great, but they are only the start. If you don’t put those dreams into action then it’s not going to happen. I love this quote by Walt Disney, a man who grew up rather poor, yet accomplished so much:

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Simple, yet effective. So what about you…do you believe you make your own happiness or luck? Do you believe everything is predetermined by some spiritual power? Or maybe a little of both?

P.S. I’ll share (what I’m sure will be amazing) pictures of Ireland on my next blog!

My latest sexy spy thriller, THE BLOOD CODE, releases today, and I’m super excited to FINALLY share this story with my readers. Initially, I never planned to extend the Super Agent series beyond the first three books (OPERATION SHEBA, I’D RATHER BE IN PARIS, PROOF OF LIFE), but an agent put a bug in my ear, and a long, difficult journey began to bring THE BLOOD CODE to life. It changed titles twice, opening chapters three times, and went through a handful of editors before finding a home.

It’s been over three years since PROOF OF LIFE came out. I have a new publisher, two new editors, and this book has undergone the first step in a “rebranding” campaign for the entire series, from the cover art to the blog tour. The research on Russian culture/language/history and the Kremlin nearly killed me (and I love research), but the editing? The publicity? OMG, this book is truly a labor of love, love, love.

And here it is…release day for a book that feels bigger to me than any I’ve previously undertaken.

Along with that excitement, I’m also terrified. This story is a bit different than the first three Super Agent books. And again, it’s been over THREE years since the last one came out. It’s like starting all over again, finding readers, and hoping the few still hanging around like the new look and the story.

Thank goodness I have one advanced review that praises it! Here’s a snippet (used with permission):

“The Blood Code is an exciting adventure with plenty of secrets along the way. Just when you have it all figured out another twist will keep you guessing about the final end game, exactly what a spy story should do. The ending is great and hopefully we will see bits of Anya and Ryan again. Misty Evans does a great job weaving real-life details and bringing the reader into the CIA world.” ~ Meredith’s Musings

When that review came in, I let out a huge “phew!” (and clutched a paper copy to my chest in relief). I also giddily emailed my editors. One of them graciously emailed me back and did a little cyber dance with me. Since that review, a couple more have come in that made me smile. (Read Amy Remus’s review, and join me at her blog today if you can for an interview with my sexy boy scout hero, Ryan.)

I still feel like I’m starting over. Getting a second chance at writing a strong romantic suspense series. It’s scary and exciting. I hope old and new readers love my characters, enjoy some hot romance, and keep coming back to my world of spies, secrets, and lots of action.

So tell me, have you ever been given a second chance? Were you excited or terrified or both? (Read on to enter my contest…)

More about THE BLOOD CODE:

Fifteen years ago, Anya Radzoya fled Russia with her grandmother after the suspicious deaths of her parents, but she can’t escape the royal genes that make her one of Russia’s last living princesses. When President Ivanov blackmails her into returning to Moscow in exchange for her grandmother’s life, Anya discovers he’s planning to unleash a nuclear war. With no one else to turn to, she joins forces with CIA operative Ryan Smith.

Undercover at the nuclear summit, Ryan recruits Anya to find proof Ivanov is resurrecting the Cold War, but he suspects his new asset is a double agent. Anya is determined to rescue her grandmother with or without his help, however, and Ryan finds himself falling for the beautiful princess before he even trusts her.

Trapped inside the Kremlin with a cunning and ruthless opponent, the two must risk their lives and their hearts to save Anya’s grandmother as well as millions of innocent people.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/17SI9l5

B&N: http://bit.ly/18N2UOD

iBookstore: http://bit.ly/18PHoWM

Kobo: http://bit.ly/14MO43Q

THE BLOOD CODE Blog Tour is full of interviews, guest posts, spy quizzes and giveaways! One lucky reader will receive a princess-cut tennis bracelet and there’s other princess bling to be won as well, including tiara keychains (limited to US and Canada). But that’s not all, three international winners will be selected to receive a free ebook copy of THE BLOOD CODE, and an ebook copy from any of Misty’s super agent backlist books. Enter today! Rafflecopter giveaway

There’s not too many topics I haven’t had to take on as a single parent of 3 sons and 1 daughter over the year. But this blog topic goes to Edie. She emailed me to say she’d seen a tweet that said 10% of all Canadians have had sex in a canoe.

photo credit: skw_ via photopin cc

That brought lots of laughter, emails and discussion at my end. See canoes are kinda narrow – at least most of them, but human nature is resourceful so if there is a will…there is a way. Needless to say this topic sent me looking into the weirdest locations that people like to catch a little nookie.

I found…lots. Duh. We’re talking sex after all. But one study blew me away.

In a poll of 1,300 people sponsored by Astroglide, people stated the craziest places they’ve had sex. (here’s the source link for those that want to read more!)

You are NOT going to believe some these places. Here we go –

• 25 – Parking lot – no clarity if that is covered, underground or in Jo’s supermarket
  

  photo credit: Sagrado Corazón via photopin cc

  lot!

• 24 – In the fitting room – apparently a VERY common location. Not only do you have to be discreet, but flexible – have you seen how small some of those cubicles are??
• 23 – Public washroom – so not my style. Maybe it’s me but those places are barely clean enough to use when you got to go…but for this…yeah, not my style. But hey, apparently it’s popular for a lot of people.
• 22 – At a hospital – see this blows my mind. The only time I’m there is if I HAVE to be and sex is NOT on my mind at the time. Go figure!
• 21 – On a boat – now see I can get behind this idea! Yeah, I’m Canadian and we have a LOT of water up here, but in a boat bigger than a canoe – yup potential!
• 20 – In front of a large window – uhm – so not my style. I’m not an exhibitionist, but if this is you – please make sure the window is closed!
• 19 –At work – again, considering I work at home, this one is a good thing. The thought of having sex in say…a dental office…with all those drills and gas…creeepy! lol.
• 

  photo credit: Henry M. Diaz via photopin cc

  18- Movie theatre – this has always been a classic for some serious necking – but apparently it’s also a classic for going the distance. I will no longer check out the people in the back rows!

• 17 – At a wedding – someone else’s wedding – uhm I hope it’s not with the groom or the bride! I’d still like to believe in fairy tales.
• 16 – On a balcony – this could be good – as long as the balcony has privacy!
• 15 – Under the bed – yep I’m stumped. The only thing I can say is WHY???
• 14 – In a church – snort – not even going to comment!
• 13 – On a rooftop – oooh I like this one. Under a starry sky or with a beautiful sunrise. Definitely possible.
• 12 – Stairwells – office, hotel, anywhere that ‘I got to have it now’ takes over I guess!
• 11 – On a golf course – and I am so not going to get into a discussion on counting strokes, or that enviable hole in one!
  

  photo credit: turbotoddi via photopin cc

• 10 – In the snow – snicker. This is the Canadian again – cold, but the rum laced hot chocolate afterwards –dynamite!
• 9 – Under a waterfall – a nice gentle waterfall – sure. Under some I’ve seen? You’d need scuba gear. Now if they’d said behind a waterfall…that would be cool!
• 8 – In a clock tower – from the survey’s actual page it makes a comment about giving the term Big Ben a whole new meaning. Need I say more?
• 

  photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc

  7 – Cemetery – interesting choice! And kinda creepy!

• 6 – In a car – but with passengers!!! Okay, cars are a classic location – but while you have passengers. We’re back to that whole exhibitionism.
• 5 – At an NFL game (preferably the press box) – and here I thought people like to watch the game – not play the game!
• 4 – At a major league baseball game – read last entry.
• 3 – On a motorcycle – really? Better be parked in the damn garage!
• 2 – While driving – okay so lots of people play sex games while driving – but full on sex??? No wonder we have such horrible accident rates!
• 1 – The Colosseum - Wow! No words. Just wow!
  

  photo credit: laszlo-photo via photopin cc

So readers – where is the craziest place you’ve ever let loose? Or what’s the craziest place you know someone else has let loose? 

A big thank you to my good friend Michelle for having me back on Magical Musings today. It’s always so much fun hanging out here with everyone

I’ve been wondering lately where I get my love of all things that go bump in the night from. I write about kick-ass heroines who wield daggers and katanas and go up against the bad guys with the best of them. In real life if a demon from the pit confronted me I would likely die of fright

But I like my heroines to be strong and while they’re not fearless they do a good job of overcoming their fears as their story progresses. Whereas I’m still trying to overcome my fear of spiders and cockroaches!

So why am I so fascinated by the lure of the vampire hero?

As a tween I was hooked on the old Hammer Horror movies with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. They scared the stuffing out of me, especially since I’d stay up late at night on my own watching them. But did I find them sexy?

I’m pretty sure I didn’t. And yet the dark compulsion to watch these movies consumed me.

I first read Bram Stoker’s Dracula when I was about eleven, but it was years later before the repressed sexual undertones of the story really made an impact. Then when I was seventeen I read Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot.

It was the first King novel I read and it’s safe to say that book terrified me in more ways than I can count. But there was no way I found those vampires sexy. They were just completely horrific and gave me nightmares for years afterwards. However, seeing as I’ve read that book countless times I clearly enjoy terrorizing myself!

I think it must have been when Gary Oldman played the Count in the 1992 version of Dracula that my fascination with vampires took a new turn. Sure, I wasn’t keen on the huge bottom shaped head but once he’d sucked down some blood he turned amazingly hot

I loved it all. The prologue where Vlad loses his beloved wife hooked me in, and the reincarnation theme won me over completely. My childhood love of magical fairy tales morphed into an obsession with dark heroes and dangerous love but something didn’t change—I needed a Happily Ever After!

Thank goodness for the rise in paranormal romance where I could get my fix all wrapped up in one lusciously sexy package. And this brings me to my recent release, BLOODLUST DENIED, a dark sexy tale of a vampire who long ago lost the only woman he’s ever loved, along with his honor and conscience. He exists in a twilight world where he takes what he wants and appreciates nothing—until one fateful night when he finds his heroine, Morana.

I have an e-copy of BLOODLUST DENIED to giveaway to one commenter on this post. Just leave a comment or let me know – do you remember the first book or movie that lured you over to the Dark Side?

Blurb

Tired of the thin-blooded aristocrats in 1815 London, Alexius yearns for better sport. He is drawn to a dark-haired seductress who shows no fear and refuses to obey his commands. Entranced by such novelty, he denies his bloodlust and decides to keep her to warm his bed.

Immortal vampire hunter Morana has never mistaken her prey before, but the dark stranger mesmerizes her, enticing her to forget everything but the dangerous pleasure she finds in his arms.
Neither one can deny the pull of the other, but there is something beyond the lust—a recognition neither can put a name to.

The past and present collide and unless they discover the truth behind the lies, Death will triumph once more.

Inside Scoop: Silk makes much softer shackles than iron, but is just as binding as our lovers engage in light BDSM sport with spanking and mild submission in this risqué Regency story.

Read Chapter One – Over 18s Only

Christina Phillips

You can contact Christina at her Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter| Goodreads

I managed all those things and then some.  I’ve lived in New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area.  I’ve spent summers on an island in Maine, on the Outer Banks, and now on a barrier island in Florida.  I’ve been to Europe, I’ve hiked in the Alps, I’ve sailed a boat off the coast of Martinique.

But most of that was when I was younger.  Somehow, middle age crept up on me, and a combination of job responsibilities, family responsibilities, financial realities and maybe common sense has made me more practical for the past ten or so years.  But when my husband and I planned this year, I knew I was turning 50 (already happened, see? I’m still here!), and I wanted to recapture some of the adventurous spirit that I’d lost.  How?

We started  with the new car we bought back in January. Followed by running our first half-marathon.  Last month, I crossed something off my “bucket list” when we took a cruise through the Panama Canal—an amazing and memorable trip.  We doubled down on the adventure factor and did excursions in Mexico that took us zip-lining and camel riding.

Later this year, we travel to Quebec City for another half-marathon. It will be my first time traveling to Quebec, and I can’t wait.

That’s actually the cool thing about adventure–I find a little of it gives me a taste for me.  And a taste for adventure makes me look forward.  I want to accomplish new things, finish that next book, explore new opportunities, travel new places.  I can’t believe I got bogged down in everyday life for so long and forgot that life should be an adventure!

So, I’ll leave you with an inspirational video I found this morning that comes from Conan O’Brien (I discovered it on the HubSpot.com blog).  Here’s hoping it makes you start looking forward, too!

Is there an adventure you’re planning? Or one you’ve put off?  What about your ‘bucket list’?  

Little hard for me to fathom that my little darlin’ is actually going to be traveling thousands of miles away. Kinda scary. For me more so than her. Don’t get me wrong … I think this trip is

a wonderful opportunity for her to experience a foreign country and to do a lot of learning along the way. Not only will they be doing a lot of hiking, the students will also be studying the rainforest, whitewater rafting and even zip-lining. I’m told that most of the accommodations will be rather standard, hot water will be iffy, meals will be basic … not exactly a luxury vacation.

Still, the trip will no doubt prove to be a liberating experience. Not only is my daughter visiting a foreign country, but she’s learning a number of valuable life lessons. Independence being one of the most important, in my opinion. This will go far in teaching her to rely on herself, particularly when she’s ready to leave for college, or even just leave home to strike out on her own.

I also think it will be a learning experience for all of us. As difficult as it is, I have to be able to let go. Parents cannot cling to their children and continuously interfere with their lives. We have to come to a point where we acknowledge that we’ve done everything we could in raising our child … hopefully to instill common sense, self-worth and confidence in our children.

I certainly know that a lot of work and effort went into fund raising for this trip and I want to say that over half the cost was covered in these endeavors. There was the Breakfast with Santa, the take home fund raiser, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and my personal favorite, the flower sale. (Made a killing with that one). I think participating in these fund raising efforts also went a long way to a sense of responsibility and growing maturity.

So, how ‘bout you? Have you had to let go? Watch your little chickies spread their wings and test the boundaries of life without you standing behind them ready to catch them with a safety net? Gotta say, I have a feelin’ this coming ten days are going to be some of the most difficult days of my life.

Title: Opposing Forces (Private Protectors, #6)
Author: Adrienne Giordano
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: June 10, 2013
Source: ARC received from Author
Rating: 5 stars

Official Summary:

Jackson Lynx always has a plan. He wouldn’t be Vice President at Taylor Security if he wasn’t steady, smart and reliable. But as capable as he is, he’s not perfect. Approaching the one-year anniversary of kicking his prescription-drug habit, the last thing Lynx needs is temptation. Celibacy is part of his recovery plan. But then Jillian Murdoch asks for his help…

Jillian loves her job—managing pharmaceutical distribution—and she’s suspicious when an unscheduled delivery shows up late on a Friday night. Then someone breaks into her home and, terrified, she asks Lynx to install a security system. Grateful for his help, she’s wary of her attraction to him… She recognizes the Serenity Prayer on his mirror and can’t get involved with an addict.

But when they uncover dangerous secrets they’ll have to trust one another. Their lives, and their hearts, depend on it.

My Thoughts:

Opposing Forces is another adventure driven by Adrienne Giordano in her Private Protectors series. In this story we are introduced to Jackson Lynx and Jillian Murdoch. As with the other books in the series, Adrienne has come up with a fantastic plot with plenty of mystery, suspense, and romance to engage you from the beginning and keep you reading until you smile and sigh at the last page when all is said and done.

Jack has decided to switch jobs from the State Department to work for Taylor Security. We get a glimpse of Jack in Man Law as Vic Andrews’ go-to guy at State. I wasn’t sure I was able to trust him back then, but obviously we can all rest assured knowing Jack is one of the good guys. Jack is the man with the plan. He doesn’t fly off the handle or operate by the seat of his pants. I have a feeling he and Gavin from Negotiating Point get along well. Jack has a plan for his life and in that plan, it does not include starting any relationships until his one year of addiction recovery is up. Too bad he has been eyeing Jillian from his Sunday morning yoga class for the past three months and now she has come to him for help. He has a problem saying no to people in need.

Jillian is used to being on her own. She likes to keep people at arms length so they don’t get close enough to disappoint her. All she has ever known is disappointment growing up. Jillian works hard and strives for perfection and approval, especially in her job in pharmaceutical distribution. Unfortunately she is in the wrong place at the wrong time and sees a suspicious shipment of drugs. Things at work take a turn for the worse and are never the same after that.

Jack and Jillian have flaws that a reader can relate to, even if they have not been in the same situation as the characters. Adrienne does such a good job of describing Jack and Jillian’s feelings that you really understand them. She also does a great job of research for her books. Addiction recovery and the pharmaceutical industry are both things I am not familiar with, but by the end of the book I had a greater appreciation for both. I love when a book can both entertain and educate me!

Because of the more serious tone in Opposing Forces (due to Jack’s seriousness), I enjoyed the comedic relief that only Vic can bring. Janet Fink, another employee at Taylor Security had me laughing as well. They both need a better brain to mouth filter. I found it funny that Vic was shocked that Jillian was not intimidated by him. One of my favorite quotes from Jillian was when Jack and Vic were letting their egos get the best of them in a situation in which they were under a time crunch. Jillian yells at them, “What is wrong with you two? Forget the pissing match and open the damned safe.” It sums her up very well.

The build up of the the romance in the story is perfect. It is very believable and fits the characters very well. Adrienne writes intimate scenes perfectly for romantic suspense – giving way just enough to use your imagination but not too many details. If you enjoy romantic suspense with a solid plot, relatable characters, humorous banter, and a great balance between the romance and edge-of-your seat action, you need to read Opposing Forces.

Reviewed by: Amy R.

Title: The Hitwoman and the Family Jewels (Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman, #4)
Author: JB Lynn
Publisher: JB Lynn
Release Date: April 26, 2013
Source: ARC won from Author
Rating: 5 stars

Official Summary:

How do you say “no” to a mob boss?

When bumbling hitwoman Maggie Lee is asked by her mob boss employer to kill a cop, she wants to say no.

When her sexy murder mentor, Patrick Mulligan tells her the cop in question is a guy she once dated, she REALLY wants to refuse.

But when her former date, Paul Kowalski tries to kill her, she changes her tune to “Hell, yes!”

Maggie and Patrick grow closer as they scramble to figure out what it is that Kowalski is looking for and what it has to do with her prison escapee father.

My Thoughts:

I simply love the Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman series. My friend Misty Evans mentioned them to me and after I read the first one I just couldn’t wait for the next ones to come out. In the fourth story of the series, we find Maggie in yet another pickle of a situation. She is asked (well, demanded really) to kill someone that she actually knows personally. She isn’t sure about it at first but then quickly changes her mind after an altercation with him. This time around though instead of chasing after him she is running from him with US Marshals and a certain Detective (that we all know and love) guarding her. On top of that her father has escaped from prison which has complicated her life tremendously. Luckily she has family and friends that want to help her in their own strange way.

For those that have read the other books you know how fun it is when Maggie communicates with her animals Doomsday (DeeDee), and Godzilla (God). Another animal is added to the mix – a cat named Piss. Yes, Piss. You will have to read the story to know why. We also get to see a lot more of my favorite, Patrick. JB does a frustratingly good job of building Maggie and Patrick’s relationship throughout the series because it fits each of their personalities well and doesn’t take away from the overall story. I really want Maggie and Patrick to kick it up a notch and for him to get rid of that wife of his.

I would love to see JB’s books made into a movie. The scenes are very clear in my mind thanks to her descriptions and would be great fun to watch on the big screen. The dialogue in The Hitwoman and the Family Jewels is by far the best part of the story. Because the characters are all so well written and have their own wacky personalities you get the best conversations. This is what has me laughing out loud all the time. In addition to the humor in this series, I really like that no matter the disagreements Maggie’s family has with one another, in the end they are always there for each other. There are some serious parts in the book and the support from her family just makes it all better. I almost feel like I worry less while reading the story when I know her family is behind her.

The books in the Confessions series just keep getting better and better. JB ends the story with quite an explosive scene and of course I look forward to the next book to find out what happens. If you are looking for a light romantic suspense read that is full of humor and warms your heart, I highly recommend you try The Hitwoman and the Family Jewels!

Reviewed by: Amy R.

Think of your life as a rainbow made of multi-colored bungee cords, stretching in an arc from your earliest youth to wherever you are today. That’s the sum of you.

As the years go by, the cords begin to fray. Memories fade. Friends move on. Loved ones pass. The world changes so much that nothing serves as a reference point for your earlier years. The lengths of cord stretch thin and threaten to break.

Don’t let them.

I’ve never been blessed with a good memory. The sum of me has always been a challenge to hold together, especially in an age where an explosion of information can addle the strongest minds. Maybe your memory is better, but how much so? Do you remember what you ate for breakfast yesterday, which pair of shoes you wore the Sunday before last, or how many times you did laundry in March?

Those things don’t matter, but how about this question? Name a book you read exactly ten years ago and what you liked or disliked about it. If you could remember a little something about that book, the memory might stir other more defining ones. Who were you back then? How were you different? What were you doing? Where did you live?

Books aren’t just books. They’re experiences. And because they can take days or even weeks to finish, they lodge in your memory as little time capsules, pulling in all the things going on in your life at that time. They can strengthen the cords holding you together, if you remember them.

Ten years from now, I want to remember that I finished Six Years by Harlan Coben last week. And that I read Karen Thompson Walker’s The Age of Miracles a month ago. By revisiting these lifetime markers, I’ll not only think about two fine voices and engaging plots, I’ll also remember our trip to California to visit my sister one last time, or my recent trials and tribulations as a wannabe published novelist, or perhaps the dinner at Mitchell’s we enjoyed with my daughter Carolyn, the trip to Vegas with Natalie.

I want to remember these things twenty years from now. And thirty. In fact, if my obsessive goal of living to a hundred pans out, I want to revisit these moments even forty years from now. So I journalize my readings, and I store them on the Internet where they won’t get lost. I write reader reviews for Amazon and Goodreads every time I finish a book. Places where I can find these journal entries later. Maybe much later.

You should, too. Not only will you leave a trail of breadcrumbs for some future walk down memory lane, you’ll provide insight to other readers, and helpful feedback for the authors of the novels you’ve read.

The process is easy. You don’t need to write much. Just tell the world what you liked about each novel. What you disliked. Leave us some clues. Leave yourself some clues. Your later self.

Think of Amazon and Goodreads as your picture albums. Now that’s a simile you’ve probably never thought of before.

Do you write reviews? If not, have you changed your mind after reading this?

Joe Fraser

Now on to the usual program. I was reading a book over the weekend, and really enjoying it. I got to about the 80% mark, and the heroine did something so dumb, I stopped reading. I put the book down, unable to continue, because it was like a train wreck happening with people I knew and liked involved, and I didn’t want to put myself through it. Kudos to the author. I loved those characters. I cared about them. And then she made one of them do something out of character, and really stupid, just to add more angst and tension to the plot.

I really felt betrayed as a reader and won’t finish it.

I’ve read other books by this author in the past and this is the first time I’ve been so disappointed, so I’ll read her again, but I was really annoyed, and hated not knowing how it ended, but I wasn’t prepared to go there.

Usually I stop reading MUCH sooner than the 80% mark. I mean, if you’ve got that far, you’ll keep going, generally, unless it really is a misstep, like in the case above. But the book I moved on to, I stopped reading before Chapter Two really got going. I love dark books, but I don’t like depressing books. This one was way over the dark line into depressing. If I want to get depressed, I just need to watch the news on TV, thanks.

So, I’m interested. If a book isn’t doing it for you, for whatever reason, at what point do you throw in the towel? And what hot buttons do you have that once pushed, mean you can’t go on with a story?