James Webb Joins the Club!

Poor James Webb. (Sarcastic grin.) He’s finding out what it’s like to be a romance writer. Actually, he writes war novels, not romances. But he’s getting the kind of treatment we’ve "enjoyed" for years.

Webb is running for the Senate against George Allen in Virginia. And after the Fred Head/Susan Combs episode in Texas, someone on Allen’s staff decided to thumb through Webb’s books looking for steamy passages. They found some, pulled them out of context, and sent them out in a press release accusing Webb of writing X-rated books.

In the past, Webb has made some sexist remarks that made me question his attitude toward women. Ironically, now he’s getting lumped with a lot of women writers who dare to include sex in their books.

How many times have you had a guy pick up one of your novels and thumb through it looking for hot passages–then judge the whole book on those few pages. Sure, I write sensual love scenes. But they’re in the context of a relationship developing between a man and a woman. They’re only part of the story. In my novels, I’m writing about strong, sympathetic characters the reader can root for. I’ve got a plot with a lot of action and mystery. Generally, I’m writing about two people falling in love against a background of danger and suspense. In all of my books, my main characters make a commitment to marry and spend the rest of their lives together.

So why do some Americans object to the sensuality? Are they afraid to acknowledge the joy of a great sexual relationship? Is it our Puritan heritage? Are we afraid to see ourselves as human?

The men and women in my books always end up in a committed, loving relationship, where sex is only part of the equation. So I’m sitting here scratching my head and trying to figure out what’s wrong with enjoying a loving and committed sexual relationship? Or are we being criticized by people who are afraid of feeling any emotion–even when it’s in the pages of a book?
Ruth

Mulled "Cider" Recipe

Mulled “Cider”

It’s fall, and I’ve got a craving for hot mulled cider. Too bad that the amount of sugar in apple cider is off the charts. Plus, it’s not available everywhere.

Here’s a hot winter drink that tastes a lot like mulled cider–but with far fewer calories. It’s easy to double this recipe if you want to serve a large pot of this flavorful hot punch. And if you prefer, you can use sugar instead of Splenda.

7 Servings/ serving size 1 cup

6 cups hot regular or decafinated tea
1 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp lemon juice
3/4 cup Splenda, or to taste
½ tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp orange extract
1 cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes to allow the spices to permeated the liquid. Ladle into mugs. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator 2 or 3 days. Rewarm in the microwave.

HEART QUEST, by Robin D. Owens

Here's the next book in Robin D. Owens' wonderful Heart series.



Robin D. Owens is an absolutely sensational storyteller. -- The Romance Reader

Somewhere in Druida City of Celta, Trif Clover has a HeartMate. Impatient to meet him, she's actually going door-to-door with her charmkey to find him. What she doesn't know is that he has already found her. Guardsman Ilex Winterberry knows Trif is his HeartMate, but has reasons of his own -- and for her own good -- to keep to the shadows of her life. But there's a killer on the loose, stalking those with unstable psi power like Trif's. Facing his most difficult task yet, Ilex must reveal the truth of their destiny or leave Trif vulnerable to a vicious murderer...

Excerpt: http://www.robindowens.com/images/01HQ.pdf

Cover: http://www.robindowens.com/images/HeartQuest.jpg

Robin's Blog:
http://robindowens.blogspot.com/2006/09/heart-quest-is-out.html

Important Advice

I am just home from a nasty dentist appointment, and I have some important advice. DO NOT CHEW ICE. I used to do it all the time, and I cracked some of my teeth. If you have a tooth that’s cracked all the way down, they can’t do a root canal. (They only find this out after they’ve STARTED a root canal. ) If it’s cracked all the way into the root, they have to pull it. No fun. Then you have to figure out what you’re going to do about the missing tooth. I’m getting two implants. First they drill holes in your jaw and put in posts. Then you wait for three months and have screws put on the posts. Then you get the new teeth. This is a long process and no fun. But I’m now three weeks away from the actual new teeth. (Today they did the impressions. An ordeal ince my mouth is still sore from putting in the screws last week.)

Honk if you hate having your mouth worked on.

Ruth

My Cats

Since I have a picture of dh with his cat, I’ve decided to give MY cats equal time.

Here are Ozzie and Harriet. (I call her Harry.)

Ruth

party!

We're having a big party from October 16 to 26 over at Out of the Blogisphere. The link is on the right side of the screen. We're giving away prizes and chatting about books--and lots of other subjects. Please join us.
Ruth

SEDUCED BY MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray

Well, that applies to me! I love magic, so this is right up my alley.



SEDUCED BY MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray
(St. Martin’s; October 3, 2006)

DESIRE
Copper Ashcroft is an accomplished D'Anu witch, but the magic she wields is a potent force—strong enough to hurl her into a mysterious Otherworld when a spell backfires. Before Copper can escape, another being is pulled into her realm—Tiernan, a powerfully virile Tuatha D'Danann warrior. Blond, blue-eyed, and shamelessly seductive, Tiernan could be Copper's savior…and his touch sets her body on fire.

DUTY
Like others of his kind, Tiernan stands alongside the D'Anu witches to battle the demons of the Underworld. Obligation to his cause and his people cautions against any entanglement with Copper, yet each second spent with this beautiful, uninhibited woman stirs an insatiable hunger. Desire explodes into carnal bliss, but the visions that haunt Copper's dreams are growing stronger, and they foretell a terrifying evil waiting to be unleashed…

DESTINY
Saving the city will take more than brute strength…more than witchcraft. Only together can Copper and Tiernan find a way to overcome the dark forces—and seize a passion that has bewitched them both..


Excerpt:
http://www.cheyennemccray.com/books/magicseries/seduced-exc.htm

Cover:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11340000/11344383.jpg



ABOUT CHEYENNE MCCRAY
Cheyenne McCray is the award-winning author of sixteen books and six novellas. Among other accolades, Chey has been presented with the prestigious Romantic Times BOOKclub's Reviewers' Choice Award for "Best Erotic Romance of the Year."

Chey has been writing ever since she can remember, back to her kindergarten days when she penned her first poem. She always knew one day she would write novels, hoping her readers would get lost in the worlds she created, as she did when she was lost in a good book. Cheyenne enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, traveling, and of course writing, writing, writing.


REVIEWS

Her latest precious magical Ashcroft saga is a delightful torrid tale headed by a strong lead couple and supported ably by a horde of bad dudes. Fans who appreciate a strong fantasy will want to read the magnificent McCray mythos – Harriet Klausner

Website: http://www.cheyennemccray.com