Welcome to our blog! From sweet to erotic, historical to paranormal and everything in between...We're passionate about writing romance! Check the sidebar for our latest releases and for details on joining our critique group. Happy Writing!
Anybody with two eyes and a decent web browser can see something is happening around here at Passionate Critters. Book release upon book release, promo tours followed by book trailer parties…the ladies are on fire! Words are flowing, contracts are getting inked. Things are happening!
In a perfect world, I’d announce my recent agent acquisition, or the foreign rights a film company snatched up last week.
Not so, dear readers. I am writing to you from a most discouraging, though very necessary place: the wastelands. This is the “neither here nor there” place we all need to travel on our road to publication. It’s where your best friends get a burst of energy and sprint into that glorious book deal while you curse like a sailor (or a Marine, in my case) at your blinking cursor. It’s the place where you follow your crit partners around the web and cheer them on through their cyber book tours, while you scribble and bleed red all over your pages, crossing out entire sections at a time and throwing objects at the wall while you try to untangle that unholy mess that is POV (and it’s demon sister, Deep POV). It’s the place where the critiques coming your way aren’t, well, the most encouraging. “Back to basics,” “strengthen the writing,” and “tighten the pages.” *sigh*
It’s where you cross out that “query Agent X” on your calendar, because you realize you, and your story, just aren’t ready yet. It’s where you put on them big girl panties and stop comparing yourself to others, wishing you told stories like they tell stories.
Sitting in the wastelands by choice is about giving yourself the right to suck at writing for a minute or two, the whole time knowing that you’re about to roll the sleeves up and get to work at fixing whatever it is that isn’t working in your writing career—books, workshops, online classes, endless rewrites, killing off characters you love, vent sessions over coffee, more time critiquing and helping others…whatever it takes.
If publication is like reaching the Emerald City, the wastelands is that creepy forest where the trees throw apples at you and your story, pointing out your weaknesses and forcing you to rethink, rebuild, and re-create. Return a stronger writer with clearer goals. Return to the yellow brick road with a purpose.
So to my PCers who’ve celebrated HUGE victories lately, I am so, so proud of you. And to my fellow (temporary) wasteland visitors, when the mean trees throw apples, make applesauce, girl. (Or make like the scarecrow and thumb your nose at the thought of stopping too long to wallow!)
On with the words…
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Posted by admin on Sep 6, 2010 in
Announcements,
Bragging Rights,
Publishing My critique partners here at PC are probably sick to death of my book trailer by now, mainly because I've been posting it EVERYWHERE. Here is no exception! Take a look at my new book trailer for Doubting Thomas! It's available now from www.eternalpress.biz.
You can watch it here:
Doubting Thomas Book Trailer by Stephanie Taylor
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Tags: Book trailer, Doubting Thomas, Stephanie Taylor
Posted by Clarissa Yip on Aug 30, 2010 in
Bragging Rights,
Publishing,
Writing 
It's here! It's here! Read all about it!
Love By Auction from Decadent Publishing.
Come meet Rebecca Hathaway and Mark Passmore as their love is reunited…under extraordinary circumstances.
About:
Intent on leaving the Date for Charity Auction, billionaire Mark Passmore vows not to bid, until he sees the gorgeous blond strut across the stage. Need overwhelms his senses and he has to have her.
With an etiquette drill sergeant and society snob for a mother, Rebecca Hathaway a.k.a Ice Princess accepts an extraordinary dare—one that lands her in the arms of her ex, except he doesn’t know it’s her.
After an explosive passionate night with Mark, Rebecca sneaks back to her mundane life of tea parties and book clubs. But she knows she’ll never be the same again.
Although he’s ended their relationship three years ago, Mark has never stopped loving Rebecca. When he learns the truth of Rebecca’s role in the action, will he forgive her for her betrayal or walk away again?
Excerpt:
Slave? Laughter bubbled to her throat. “What do you mean? Slave for what? Like a chauffeur or butler for the day?”
Erin shook her head. “A slave, Bec. Anything you want him to be. The rest of the night alone with this person to fulfill any fantasy you have.”
Rebecca gasped and shot off the seat. “Why didn't you tell me this before?”
Erin smiled, a nervous glint in her eyes. “If I had told you, then you would have backed out, and Kelly would have won.”
Rebecca started to pace the small patch of carpet behind the chair to the door. Her life was over. Her mother was going to kill her and she'd never be able to show her face in public.
Oh, God. Her brother. She whirled around to face Erin. “You have to get Lucas out of here.”
Erin's eyes widened. “I can't. Then he'll go and tell my parents.”
She glared. “Look, if I'm going down, you're going down with me.”
“Bec, if your mother finds out I was involved, my mother is going to disown me, especially if she can't go to any of Catherine's garden parties.” Erin moved to the vanity table and threw the rest of the make-up back in the cosmetics Caboodle. “You're right. We should just get out of here before Lucas and Mark sees us. At least, I know neither of them won the bid with Kelly.”
Rebecca froze. “You're telling me that Mark bid on Kelly?”
Erin met her gaze in the mirror. “I heard one of them yell out a number from the back.”
Anger turned to rage. Her hand clenched a fistful of fishnet and lace as she stared at her reflection. Her blonde wig shined under the dressing room light, her done-up face emphasizing sultry eyes. Bright red lipstick covered her full lips. The swells of her breasts pushed to her chin, and fishnet garters peaked from under the frilly short layers of her skirt. The image in the mirror reminded her of Marilyn Monroe without the mole at her mouth. Though she looked more like a tramp in high-heels than an ice queen, her costume screamed seduction.
Power bloomed in her gut like a fierce energy uncapped.
A knock sounded at the door. “You're up!”
Rebecca jerked her head toward Erin, whose gaze filled with dread. “Give me my tiara.”
“Yo—you're going out there?”
With newfound confidence, she smiled at Erin.
“I'm taking Kelly down.”
And Mark Passmore is going to see what he gave up.
Hope you enjoy it! And thanks for stopping by!
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Posted by Clarissa Yip on Aug 27, 2010 in
Bragging Rights,
Goals,
Life,
Writing
When I was a little girl, I used to bury my head in books all the time, from Babysitter's Club Series to R.L. Stine horrors, but my favorites were still romances. With an older sister, who read as fast as she could buy them, I was always hiding and waiting for her to come home with the big bag of books. Once she had her back turned, her books would miraculously disappear, but I learned to return them to her closet before she'd notice.
My mind would always run off and hide in these magical worlds–worlds of these amazing characters, relationships, whether family ties or emotional conflicts, I had a smile for each page I turned and would fall in love all over. Immersed in my own creative wonderland, my dreams blossomed. With each word I put on paper, I grew. With each vision I saw, I foresaw something bigger.
I'm not a writer born overnight. Writing since I was a child, I forged forward. The journey is open and fate is what you make of it.
Like anything in life, perseverance and determination fuels your goals in life. If you want something, go for it. Learn from it. Everything that happens only makes a person stronger.
As a writer, I've been through my ups and downs. My bazillion rejections and I'm still going. Results will reign in as long as you have faith.
My first release, Love by Auction, comes out Monday, August 30th, by Decadent Publishing. This is one of my many milestones and I'm very excited to share it with you.
That little girl with big dreams is still a part of me. This is only the beginning.
What are your dreams? Whether writing or life in general. Sometimes when you share, it's like making a wish.
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Tags: Book Release, Dreams, Inspiration, Writing
As some of our members roll up to the RWA National conference, I thought I'd put up a quick update.
Kismet's Revenge is now available in paperback from The Wild Rose Press
Silke has sold her novella "Howl" to Lyrical Press. You can follow her trials and tribulations as a non-US author on her blog – http://www.evilauthor.com
(Especially if you need to know about ITIN's!)
We would also like to congratulate our former member Vanessa, who has just informed us of her success! She sold "Blood Moon" to Decadent Publishing. 
There have been several requests for partials and full manuscripts this month. Watch this space!
And while we are all roasting in the sun… I would like to wish our critters the best of luck with their pitches at RWA National! Have fun, you guys!
Silke writes paranormal romance, and knows a thing or two about things going bump in the night. Although it is usually her, creeping to the kitchen at O' Dawn Thirty to score another cup of coffee.
She grew up in Germany, but her home of choice is in the UK, where she lives with her partner on the outskirts of London.
Her first book Smitten is now available from Decadent Publishing.
Website - More Posts
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Tags: ITIN, Lyrical Press, Non US Author, Romance, Sold, The Wild Rose Press, Writing
We are having quite the month on PC, so I thought I'll post an update on what's been happening.
Drumroll, please!
- Gina signed a three book deal with Avalon!
- Joyce sold her short story to Lyrical Press!
- Stephanie sold her story to Lyrical Press!
We've had other successes in May, as well, and I will dig them out and list them.
Also, we are sorry to lose Vanessa, Kit and Valerie. Good luck you guys, and don't be strangers!
— As it is summer, we are still closed for new members, but we have an open chat area for non members, if you want to drop us a note.
Silke writes paranormal romance, and knows a thing or two about things going bump in the night. Although it is usually her, creeping to the kitchen at O' Dawn Thirty to score another cup of coffee.
She grew up in Germany, but her home of choice is in the UK, where she lives with her partner on the outskirts of London.
Her first book Smitten is now available from Decadent Publishing.
Website - More Posts
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Tags: romance novel, Sale, Writing
Congratulations, Cyn!
I had to post this here, because it's such a great review.
Follow the link below to the original review on Long And Short Reviews.
(All links open in a new window.)
Kissing Trick by C.D. Yates
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full (235 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Fern
Reggie Snow is the author of the popular YA Paddy Dimple series. Her childhood, best friend, Dr. Patrick "Trick" McCullough is a former playboy, current OBGYN. They've each got some image problems. She's unexpectedly pregnant, not a great thing for a woman who's primary audience consists of impressionable teens. And he's on the nurses' naughty list; always a problem for a randy man who's seen most of the single women in his small town naked without sleeping with any of them. Besides, Trick's starting to realize it might be time to settle down if he wants to increase his patient list to include the pregnant mamas waddling around town.
That can be fixed…
They decide to work together by playing married until Reggie's baby's born. She hopes that her pregnancy won't bag her latest book's sales or encourage young adults to have unwed pregnancies. He hopes a family-man image will destroy his bad-boy bachelor reputation so he can deliver babies and heal more women in his small town of Hadley Falls, Vermont.
As long as they don’t fall in love…or into bed. Easy to say, until she starts kissing Trick.
Kissing Trick is a delightful story about friendship, devotion, and trust. Author C.D. Yates has twined a tale about best-friends that are brought together by circumstance, but are drawn to one another by love.
Patrick, aka Trick, is a man that has the power to make you swoon and laugh at the same time. He’s comical, witty, and utterly charming. And it’s a good thing, because his counterpart, Reggie, is equally snarky and sarcastic. She’s always seen Patrick as a handsome man, but never as a potential lover. Once she does, sparks fly and pages sizzle. I enjoyed the playful banter between them, and snickered gleefully through a large portion of the story. Their adoration for one another is evident, and goes a long way in making the story not only believable, but memorable as well. It takes a special kind of man to marry a woman that he cares for that is carrying the child of another man, and Trick not only steps up to the plate, he hits a homerun straight out of the ballpark. He’s never noticed Reggie as a woman before, but once he does, he’s not willing to let her get away.
There are other elements throughout Kissing Trick that add to the richness of the plot and character development, namely Reggie’s abandonment issues and Trick’s history of being a player, and it ensures you’ll remain invested in the story from start to finish. Patrick isn’t the only one that shines. When Reggie moves past the taint childhood heartbreak, she’ll come into her own and embrace the happiness that Trick extends.
If you’re looking for a spicy story with equal portions of heart and humor, Kissing Trick is a book you’re bound to enjoy.
Silke writes paranormal romance, and knows a thing or two about things going bump in the night. Although it is usually her, creeping to the kitchen at O' Dawn Thirty to score another cup of coffee.
She grew up in Germany, but her home of choice is in the UK, where she lives with her partner on the outskirts of London.
Her first book Smitten is now available from Decadent Publishing.
Website - More Posts
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Tags: C.D. Yates, Review
