Meet Me Online Today!

What are you doing today? Me, I'm hanging out at Bitten By Books and giving away a Samhain Publishing tote bag full of goodies! There will also be one $5 Samhain gift card up for grabs. All you have to do is join me over there today after 2pm CST. I'll be answering questions, asking question, and generally just chatting about my books here. See ya there!

*Print copy of Day Shift will be replaced with print copy of The Second Book of Grimm by Shiloh Walker.*

You can enter the contest here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do You Know Heather Long?

Hot Marines, steamy romance, what's not to love? If you've never read Heather Long then you are missing out! Get her new release from Decadent Publishing available TODAY!

The emotional sequel to Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here.  Readers wished for more Jazz, Logan and Zach and the threesome are reunited when the unthinkable happens. 

No Regrets, No Surrender

Always a Marine #6
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-61333-420-1
Release Date:  20 Nov 2012

This sixth installment of the Always a Marine series for Decadent Publishing and a first for the series, as a spinoff of Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here. Jazz, Logan and Zach met via a 1NightStand. This is the business name of an exclusive online dating service run by Madame Evangeline who provides her clients with the possibility of happily ever after or happily for now.

BLURB:
At the end of their night of frenzied passion, Jazz Winters walked away from the only two men who’d ever made her feel like a woman. Logan Cavanaugh and Zach Evans let her go, but only if she swore all her future leaves to them.
Waiting fourteen excruciatingly long months, visiting Jazz when they can, is harder on the guys that they like to admit. But their work at Mike’s Place, a veteran’s rehabilitative facility, only lets Zach and Logan go one at a time. Jazz fears their unconventional relationship can’t last a lifetime. The stress of years of military service in hot zones, combined with life-threatening injuries pushed her to the edge. But when she comes home a wounded warrior, not the woman she believes they want, Zach and Logan are right there to help her, even when she resists.
She’s not alone. Whether she chooses one or both, they have no regrets and they won’t surrender.

Heather Long Website
Always a Marine Series

Fun Facts
It is hard to believe that the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have endured for more than a decade, and yet no one in the military or their families have been unaffected by these conflicts. 
While all three characters are Marines, it was an interesting idea to examine what life was like for the guys on the other side of the sandbox with Jazz serving overseas and they keeping the home fires burning.

SK Saturday: The Final Update

And so it's done, this journey I began (for the second, and last time) almost six months ago. What prompted me to travel once again down that long and winding path with Roland Deschain of Gilead? The arrival of a new chapter set in his world. It's been a good journey. There were tears and a little laughter. There was anger and disgust. It was worth it, even the second time. 

What did I think of this final chapter in the long quest for the Dark Tower? For the sake of a review I will give it four stars. It wasn't perfect for me as a reader, though it wasn't as heartbreaking as I feared. Characters I'd grown to love were lost along the way and the main one's ending left much to be desired. But I already knew that. That was the one thing I had remembered from my first trek with Roland. That wasn't why I made the journey again, as if I thought the outcome would be any different. I made it again because it's good to be reminded of the journey sometimes.

I needed to watch Eddie Dean fight his addiction with heroine and find his love of Susannah. I needed to see her find her love of Eddie and put that bitch Detta in her place. I needed to meet Jake and Oy. I needed to be reminded that Stephen King is the creator, and destroyer, of worlds far more intense than I could ever hope to make. It was a good journey and I'm glad I made it again. If you have not then you should. At least once. At least to meet the cast of unforgettable characters I'm mentioning. Or at least to be left with that queer feeling of wonder at SK's mention of his other works and his life on the road to the Dark Tower.

But be warned. This story is not for the faint of heart or one who would not finish it. Once begun it must be completed. Long days, and pleasant nights.

Life and NaNoWriMo Week 2

I have a lot going on in the next couple of days. First of all, tomorrow, the 16th, I'll have a guest blog at Nikki Duncan's site as a part of her release party for Her Miracle Man. I'll be choosing one lucky commenter for a prize. Nikki is also giving away a ton of prizes, including 2 airline tickets!

Next I'll be joining The Romance Reviews' Year-End Splash (YES!) Party on the 17th. Answer my Q&A for a chance to win my ebook Winning Back Wednesday. Their party lasts until December 15th and they're giving away over 300 prizes from various authors and publishers. It's guaranteed to be a really good time.

Then on the 19th I'm a guest on Anna Kathyrn's blog. I'll be giving away a very unique prize, a paperback copy of Jade Lee's Dragonbound. What's so unique about it? Just wait until you see the inscription. No, it's not to me, but my name is involved. You'll just have to check out the post to see it. ;-)

And last, but certainly not least, my NaNoWriMo update. As of this morning I'm sitting at 23,599 words. I'm on track for their goal of 50K but behind for my personal goal of 60K. I've been trying to push myself to write at least 2K words a day but it hasn't been easy. I've also gotten the first round of edits back for Too Hard to Break. That will cut into my NaNo time but will be so worth it. I'm really excited about Elle's story and can't wait to share it with all of you!

So that's my week in a nutshell. If I don't have a chance to post this later I just want to say I'm VERY thankful for my readers. I hope you all have safe and joyous holidays!!!

Life and NaNoWriMo Week One

So, what have you been up to this week? I've been writing, writing, preparing for a trip out of town this weekend, writing, and other things. Last Wednesday marked the first day of November and the beginning of NaNoWriMo 2012. I was iffy on participating this year because I knew I already have a lot going on this month. However, the idea for another erotic novella struck me and I thought, "What the heck?", and that was that. So if you're familiar with my Love Beyond Barriers series from Ellora's Cave then You might be happy to know my NaNo WIP is Ben's story. It's not in his POV of course. All of my LBB are from the heroine's POV. If you want to know which heroin is his you'll just have to wait and see. ;-)

First things first, NaNo. I've done fairly well so far. I'm currently at 14,340 words. Just over my goal of 2K a day so I'm happy. I'm not optimistic about getting much done this weekend but will try to make it up next week.

Second, this weekend. As I stated above I'm going out of town. Where? Why, Readers n'Ritas of course! I'll be in Allen, TX all weekend and would love to meet you if you're in the area. There will be a book sale and signing on Saturday at 4pm.

Third, the JDRF walk. I won't be able to attend this year as I had already committed to RnR before knowing the date for the walk. However, my team, Team Alice Jane (named after my daughter who has Type 1 Diabetes) will be at the walk with my mom. They will be walking in Montgomery County this year instead of the Houston walk, but it promises to still be an awesome event. If you're in the area and not busy Saturday morning you should go by to cheer them on. Also, it's definitely not too late to donate and help us reach our goal of $500. We're sitting at just over $300 right now.

Lastly, guest blogging. I'll be in a couple of places online this month giving away prizes. I promise to update my site with the info as soon as I get home on Sunday evening. Don't forget I'm still in the middle of a tour for Day Shift. I have a couple more stops before the holidays.

So that's it, that's my update. I hope ya'll have a fabulous and productive weekend. I'll be drinking margaritas! ;-)

More than a Right

June 15, 1993 was an exciting day for me. I turned eighteen and legally became an adult. It meant quite a few things but none more important to me at the time than the right to vote. I had to wait a few years before being able to cast a presidential ballot, but as soon as the next election came around I was ready.

Why? Does it matter, and why is it so important to me? Well, yes it does matter. It matters a whole hell of a lot. What's sad is that it matters less to some Americans than to others. I know a lot of people argue their vote doesn't matter. With the way the process is set up it may seem like that is true. However, it really isn't. Whether the person you vote for wins or not, I assure you your vote is noticed. Trends are recorded for future reference. Those who may be running tomorrow are paying attention today. Also, an argument I've had with a non-voting family member many times: if everyone who claims their vote doesn't matter actually got off their asses to vote I assure you they would matter a whole hell of a lot.

To be honest, we as a country should be ashamed of ourselves. There are people in other nations killing each other for the basic rights we take for granted. That's not over-exaggeration, that's plain and simple fact. And for what reason are some of us not voting? I assure you it's not that difficult, and even if it is there are people there to help. Registering is just a matter of minor paperwork. Standing in line at the polling place is no worse than going to Walmart on a Sunday afternoon.

I'm taking my eighteen year old daughter to cast her vote for the first time this afternoon after school. She's excited, I'm excited. It's the beginning of a whole new tradition for her whether she realizes it or not, and such an important one that I'm honored to be sharing it.

Will you be voting today?

It's NaNo Time!!

Today is November 1st, time for NaNoWriMo. Are you ready? Wait, do you know what that is? It stands for National Novel Writing Month, which is November, and is a "contest" to complete a novel within one month. I've participated for a few years but never "won". This is my year. I can feel it! 

Wanna be my NaNo buddy? You can find me here:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/mjhmcginnis

Good luck and Happy Writing!!