Wednesday, November 29, 2006

INFERNO, by Vivi Anna

This book has got it all. A kick-ass heroine. A futuristic setting. And a lot of heat.



INFERNO by Vivi Anna
(Kensington, December 2006)

Vivi Anna's gorgeous, leather-clad heroine, Kat, is back in another wildly erotic adventure set in a future world where passion has no rules — and no limits ...

Kat needs to find a scientist rumored to have created an antidote to a deadly virus, but he's hiding out in the violent underground city of Inferno. Her one-time lover Hades will take Kat where she needs to go, but only if she promises to be his, body and soul.

Excerpt:
http://www.vivianna.net/inferno.php#excerpt

Cover:
http://www.vivianna.net/inferno150x225.gif


ABOUT VIVI ANNA
A BAD GIRL at heart, Vivi Anna likes to burn up the pages with her original unique brand of fantasy fiction. Whether it's in ancient Egypt, or in an apocalyptic future, Vivi always writes fast paced action-adventure with strong independent women that can kick some butt, and dark delicious heroes to kill for.

Once shot at while repossessing a car, Vivi decided that maybe her life needed a change. The first time she picked up a pen and put words to paper, she knew she had found her heart. Within two paragraphs, she realized she could write about getting into all sorts of trouble without suffering the consequences.

When Vivi isn't writing, you can find her causing a ruckus at downtown bistros, flea markets, or playgrounds.


REVIEWS
Combine two star-crossed lovers, a deadly virus, a passel of Dark Dwellers, and an underground nemesis bent on destruction and you get one heck of an adventure. This follow-up to Hell Kat will have you cheering for the good guys all over again — and laughing out loud while you do it! A fun, sexy romp that leaves you crying out for more. – 4 stars, Romantic Times

Website: http://www.vivianna.net

Friday, November 17, 2006

A great writer died today

This is a very sad day for me. Jack Williamson died. He was one of the giants of the science fiction field, and one of my personal inspirations.

Jack Williamson is the reason I'm writing werewolf books today. I read his DARKER THAN YOU THINK when I was a teenager. He made me want to BE a werewolf. I carried that story around with me for years. Then I read THE WOLF'S HOUR, by Robert McCammon, and I was enthralled all over again.

When I started contemplating KILLING MOON, paranormal was very much out. But I started thinking about a book with a werewolf detective who used his wolf senses to solve crimes. Even thought I doubted I could sell the story, it simply wouldn't let me go. Finally my friend Mary Kilchenstein, who writes as Mary Kirk, told me in her blunt way that she was tired of hearing me talk about the idea. So I should either write it or shut up. I accepted the challenge and started working on what became KILLING MOON.

There were many different directions in which I could have taken the story, but I stuck with what I love, romantic suspense. I was pretty sure that to sell single title paranormal romantic suspense, I'd have to write the whole book, not just do a proposal. So I worked on KILLING MOON around my Intrigue schedule. Cindy Hwang at Berkley loved the story and bought it. Then she asked me for more werewolf books. That's how I found myself with a werewolf series that I hadn't planned for.


Jack Williamson published his first story, "The Metal Man," in 1928 when he was 20. His last book, THE STONEHENGE GATE was published recently. He won the Hugo and Nebula awards for his work and lifetime achievement honors from the World Fantasy Convention and the Horror Writers of America. And he was named a Grand Master of science fiction by what is now the Science Fiction Writers of America. What a career! Few writers can equal him.
Ruth

Friday, November 03, 2006

Mad for Rutabaga

A long time ago, I made fun of rutabaga in a kids book I wrote. It was a Twist-a-Plot story called THE MISSION OF THE SECRET SPY SQUAD. In one plot line, prisoners thrown into jail were forced to live on a diet of rutabaga. That was before I’d ever tasted that vegetable. I was going purely on how they looked–big and ugly and covered with wax to stretch their shelf life.

Funny thing, once I actually sank my teeth into a rutabaga, I was hooked. I love the taste of this winter vegetable. And I cook with it frequently.

Probably you’ve grated carrots and put them into salads. You can do the same with rutabaga. They add a distinctive flavor and a nice crunch to the salad bowl.
One of my favorite ways to use rutabaga is in roasted winter vegetables. For an easy side dish or vegetarian main dish, just fill a roasting pan with a combination of cut up red-skin potatoes, carrots, celery and rutabaga. Then toss with some olive oil, Italian seasoning and salt.

Since the rutabaga takes longer to cook than the other vegetables, I roast them in the pan for twenty minutes at 375 degrees F. before adding the other vegetables and roasting for an additional 40 to 50 minutes, stirring them occasionally until all the vegetables are tender. Serve as an easy side dish on Thanksgiving. Or with meat or roasted chicken at any family dinner.

I also love to add chunks of rutabaga to the homemade meat and vegetable soups that are a winter staple in my house.

Ruth