Do I have what it takes to be a Diva?

I'm competing in The Romance Studio Diva contest...so far, it's been an interesting mix of anonymous talent versus popularity contest. However, I'm really not sure I have what it takes to be a diva.

According to Dictionary.com a Diva is a distinguished female singer or a prima donna.

Well, I definitely can't sing as is well attested by my children in the car. A great song comes on and I open my mouth. My teenager slumps in her seat so that she is no longer visible to passing motorists and my preschoolers howl "M-O-M" from the backseat. I'm reduced to singing in the car when I'm alone (not very often).

So, how about Prima Donna? Again according to dictionary.com, a prima donna is a temperamental person; a person who takes adulation and privileged treatment as a right and reacts with petulance to criticism or inconvenience.

Snort, I wish. I can be a bit temperamental when someone interrupts my writing sessions or gets me up at the butt crack of dawn (most days as I have two preschoolers who haven't learned the fine art of sleeping in yet), but my three-year-old takes the cake for temper tantrums. I gave up competing with him months ago.

As for adulation and priviliged treatment, well, I'm a mom. The only priviliged treatment I've had in a while is a long uninterrupted shower in my own personal paradise (my husband drew the most incredible mural on my shower wall for Mother's Day) and I'm still thrilled to bits to get a good review for my books or the occasional fan letter. I must admit, I do have dreams where I show up for a book signing and find the line wrapped around the building...twice. Or being contacted by a Hollywood studio to begin negotiations to turn one of my little stories into something for the big screen.

But until then. . .(you saw that coming, right?) -- If you get a chance, pop on over to The Romance Studio on Monday and vote for Ericka Scott! Help me release that inner Diva (believe me, I need all the help I can get!)

And to sweeten the deal:

The Scott Family's Apple Gringo Recipe
(apple pie that won't heat up your house)

Ingredients:
Flour tortillas
Apple Pie Filling (heated)
Cinnamon: Sugar mixed in equal quantities (I usually do a 1/2 cup each)
Shredded Cheddar cheese


Deep fry flour tortillas until light brown and crisp
spoon on a couple of tablespoons of warm apple pie filling and spread to the edges
sprinkle with cinnamon:sugar mixture
top with shredded cheese

Enjoy!

Taking Control

My latest TEB novella is called Taking Control. I fell in love with the hero in this one, and hope you will, too!

Jennifer Steele is plagued by memories of a violent crime. Desperate to pull herself together, she's dealt another blow when her boss hires a new employee for her bank branch. It's Jen's job to do the hiring, and she'd never have chosen a man so handsome-- and arrogant.

T.K. Knight is a striking part Native American who seems more at home on a ranch than in an office. Jen's not completely sure of his motives, but can't resist his charm or the pure lust that takes over whenever he's around.

When Jen discovers T.K. might not have been placed in her office by chance, their already heated situation gets even hotter. The truth can be hard to face, but Jen finds she has to take control of the past, to make way for the future.

Excerpt (Jen and T.K have just finished a Taekwondo class together):

People from the next class warmed up on the mat. It was a busy school, and she liked the bustle and activity. She grabbed her gym bag from the floor and glanced at the row of closed doors. One was open. “Looks like only one dressing room is available. Are you in a hurry, or—”

T.K. lifted his bag and shoved her ahead of him into the small cubicle. He slapped on the lights and closed the door, locking it. “We can share,” he whispered.

Without a thought, Jen dropped her bag and melted into T.K.’s arms. He pressed her against the wall, and their mouths came together. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she parted her lips for the kiss she’d been waiting for.

“Mmm,” he moaned, his tongue delving into her mouth.

“Mmm hmm,” she agreed, tongue batting against his. She moved it around, found his straight teeth and traced them.

He crushed her body against his. Their uniforms were thin, and his bulging erection felt huge, virtually burning her leg.

Her free leg wrapped behind him, pulling his body closer. With another soft moan, he shifted his hips so they pressed into her core.

“Yes,” she hissed, thrusting her pelvis at him.

He tugged the band from her hair, releasing her ponytail. One hand sifted through the long strands, and he wrapped his fingers around them.

“Turnabout is fair play,” she murmured, releasing his hair from the ponytail holder. It fell to his shoulders in straight, silky lengths. “I like this.”

He panted for breath. “You’re so beautiful. But the walls here are thin. Maybe we should move this party elsewhere.”

“Listen.” Jen held a hand up. The dressing room door next to them slammed. She heard two voices become quieter as other students left. In the distance, an instructor called the next class to order. “It’s pretty private in here. The late class just started. I think we have some time.”

He smiled, looking her over. “If you say so. I can’t decide where to begin.”

Jen reached a hand between them and tugged her belt off. Her uniform top loosened then opened.

“Good idea.” He dropped his mouth to her breast, sucking through the thin, lacy fabric of her bra.

“It fastens in front,” she told him, arching her back.

“Thank God.” He fumbled with the clasp, setting her breasts free. “Much better. And beautiful, just like I knew they would be.”

“Ugh!” Jen pressed his head to her breast. “You talk too much.”

“Bossy.” He clucked his tongue, mouth pressed against her skin. “Better be careful. I might bite.”

“Please do!” Her pussy creamed with desire at his soft chuckle.

“Okay, Ms. Steele. I see how it is. You like it a little rough, do you?” One of his hands breached the elastic waistband of her uniform and slid inside.

Feelings and emotions flooded her senses. She couldn’t answer. When his hand slipped inside her panties, she froze.

Copyright ( C ) 2008 Jamie Hill

Taking Control will be available in June from Total e-Bound Publishing

* ~ *

Now, just for fun--from my friend Jude Mason: 45 sayings that should be on buttons:
1. Well, this day was a total waste of make-up.
2. Make yourself at home! Clean my kitchen.
3. Who are these kids and why are they calling me Mom?
4. Don't bother me. I'm living happily ever after.
5. Do I look like a freakin' people person?
6. This isn't an office-It's Hell with fluorescent lighting.
7. I started out with nothing & still have most of it left.
8. If I throw a stick, will you leave?
9. You! Off my planet!
10. Therapy is expensive, poppin' bubble wrap is cheap! You choose.
11. Practice random acts of intelligence & senseless acts of self-control.
12. Bottomless pit of needs & wants.
13. I like cats, too. Let's exchange recipes.
14. Friendly checkout clerk. Thanks for keeping me that way!
15. If I want to hear the pitter patter of little feet, I'll put shoes on my cat.
16. Does your train of thought have a caboose?
17. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.
18. I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood for 30 years.
19. A PBS mind in an MTV world.
20. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.
21. Whisper my favorite words: "I'll buy it for you."
22. Better living through denial.
23. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.
24. Suburbia: where they tear out the trees & then name streets after them.
25. Adult child of alien invaders.
26. Do they ever shut up on your planet?
27. I'm just working here till a good fast-food job opens up.
28. A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door.
29. Stress is when you wake up screaming & you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet.
30. Here I am! Now what are your other two wishes?
31. Back off! You're standing in my aura.
32. I can't remember if I'm the good twin or the evil one.
33. How many times do I have to flush before you go away?
34. I just want revenge. Is that so wrong?
35. I work 40 hours a week to be this poor.
36. You say I'm a bitch like it's a bad thing.
37. Can I trade this job for what's behind door #2?
38. Not all men are annoying. Some are dead.
39. Chaos, panic, & disorder - my work here is done.
40. Ambivalent? Well, yes and no.
41. I plead contemporary insanity.
42. I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted paychecks.
43. How do I set a laser printer to stun?
44. Meandering to a different drummer.
45. I'm not tense, just terribly, terribly alert.

Have a lovely weekend!

~ Jamie
www.jamiehill.biz

I (heart) Booth...er...David Boreanaz

Hi everyone,

It is my day toblog here at the TEB Hot Spot. Yes, I do not have a book out yet with TEB, but it is coming. I am very excited about it! NECTAR OF THE GODS should have a cover very soon. The release date is September, I believe.

Anyway, I am still thinking about last night. I am a big BONES and HOUSE fan and the season finales were on. I love love love David Boreanaz. Funny thing is, I grew up watching his dad, weatherman Dave Roberts, on WPVI TV in Philadelphia on a daily basis. (That is after the death of the original weatherman, Jim O Brien, in 1983 from a horrible skydiving accident when his parachute failed to open. Yes, I remember when that happened.) Obviously, it adds an extra wow factor to me that I grew up in the general vicinity of hunk-a-licious David Boreanaz.

Okay, so I sat down to watch my dose of David on BONES and curious to see what happened since he got shot by a looney woman stalker. They were off to his funeral. I startled my husband (who was getting the kids out of the shower) when I yelled, "WHAT?!? They killed him off?! WFT!! I'll never watch this stupid show again!"

SPOILER ALERT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


He isn't dead. The FBI set it up so he could catch some criminal who would only show up at Booth's funeral. Slick, slick writers. They are lucky, I was going to boycott the show in about 2 minutes.

One bummer though. I really liked the character of Zack. He won't be back on the show after this season. I can't believe they made him Gormogon's apprentice. he killed and hid bones in the Jeffersonian...and stole canine teeth to make some sort of demented set of dentures for Gormogon. Ugh...why couldn't they have just killed him off rather than taint his character for the previous episodes?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

So what does David Boreanaz have to do with this post? Not much, I just was still upset over those damn writers of BONES scaring me. And to have an excuse to post a picture of him here. Not only is he a hunk, he seems to have a great sense of humor, which, to me, is much more attractive.

And today I got my income tax refund...I think I am going out to get a BONES DVD set.

In praise of the male chest

I'm not going to even try to choose my favorite man part. But the chest is certainly one of the most amazing parts.

I definitely try to include as much chest imagery and chest touching, kissing, licking, you name it in my books. Some women don't like chest hair, but personally, I love it. Either way, ladies, would we want to live without the male chest? Let me know what you think!

In Praise of Nerds

Since I joined the romance authors community, I've heard a lot about alpha heroes. It's critically important, I've been led to believe, that the protagonist in an erotic romance be tall, beautiful and buff. Rugged but handsome features, broad shoulders, chiseled pectorals, powerful, muscular thighs that naturally invite musings about what lies sheltered between them - attributes like these apparently constitute the romance ideal. Our hero should also be physically strong, courageous, and generally the dominant type, though some sensitivity or a shameful secret will not be taken amiss.

Well, I don't completely buy it. I mean, a nice bod and a pretty face are not to be sneezed at. But they're not enough. Call me perverse (many people have), but I find intelligence to be the most essential aspect of a sexy hero. Furthermore, I'm willing to accept less than stellar physical qualities if my hero is a clever, imaginative, horny genius who can figure out how to get himself and his heroine out of sticky situations, and who's smart enough to understand what will truly turn her on.

I admit it. I've got a thing for nerds. When The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was popular, I had the hots for skinny, intense Ilya Kuryakin, not the dashing alpha guy Napoleon Solo. I was hopelessly in love with Mr. Spock. (After all, think about making love while in the throes of a Vulcan mind-meld.) Near the top of my sexy, romantic movie list is "Earth Girls are Easy", featuring awkward, geeky Jeff Goldblum as a brilliant alien. A more recent example of a romantic nerd is Clive Owen's short, unshaven, and amazingly ingenious character in the bank robbery thriller "Inside Man".


It's fairly easy to understand why I feel this way. Growing up, I was the egghead, the bookworm, the too-smart girl whom everyone made fun of. The only guys who could deal with me were the ones who were at least as smart as I was. They weren't on the football squad; they weren't voted Best Looking or Most Popular. But they had that something that could start my motors. It was intoxicating, yes, arousing, to have a conversation with some of these guys, especially when I got out of high school and into college. We understood each other, and I began to discover that despite their definite nerdish qualities, they were enthusiastic and innovative when it came to sex.

Actually, research has shown that in defiance of their public image as socially challenged losers, nerds are more successful than the general population in finding mates, staying with them, and producing children. Of course, that is not necessarily going to endear them to romance readers, but it's something to consider!

Not all the heroes that I create are nerds, but many have some nerdish qualities. Mark, in Incognito, is barely average height and wears glasses; he's a college professor who specializes in Charles Dickens. He also has an outrageous sexual imagination and is willing to try pretty much anything. The character of Rick in my upcoming novel Ruby's Rules is an even better example. He's short, wiry, a bit rumpled, with a droopy, disreputable-looking mustache. He's also a brilliant engineer and a wily strategist who matches every one of protagonist Ruby's maneuvers as they compete for a critical business deal. In my recently published short story, "Body Electric", the male protagonist is a far cry from the alpha hero. He's overweight and unkempt, arrogant and rude. However, he's charismatic enough to fascinate the lovely and susceptible heroine.

He didn't look like an engineer. He smiled and postured and gestured expansively as if reciting poetry or making a speech. Half a dozen females surrounded him, hanging on his every word. Periodically the little knot of women (which actually included crusty old Margaret Evans) would burst into self-conscious laughter. Dean Evans would look around nervously, then return her attentive gaze to towering shaggy-haired orator in their midst, as if he were a combination of Tom Cruise and Mahatma Ghandi.

[From "Body Electric", in Yes, Sir: Erotic Stories of Female Submission, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. Cleis 2008]

Readers who have sampled my first TEB release, Raw Silk, might protest that Gregory Marshall is the archetypal alpha male. He's over six feet tall, with a powerful body, long black hair, mysterious tattoos and hypnotic blue eyes. Plus he's a seasoned dominant with a deep understanding of bondage and discipline. I'll admit that Gregory is not a nerd. However, his keen intelligence is one of his most important characteristics. He is smart enough to see through Kate's mask of self-sufficient assertiveness to the submissive desires hiding beneath. (And of course software developer Kate is sort of a female nerd, although she is also ravishingly beautiful.)

It's possible that I'm truly deviant, the only reader/writer who believes that intelligence is an unparalleled aphrodisiac. But I'll take a guy who's brilliant over a guy who's gorgeous any day. Alpha heroes are all well and good, but they do have a tendency to be predictable.

Am I all alone here? Or are there other readers who are set to boiling by an appealing egghead? Leave a comment and let me know!

Why E-books?

There are a lot of reasons to love E-books.

· No trees are harvested in order to create them.

· They take up only virtual space as opposed to real space so I’m sure they must help with the Feng Shui in people’s homes so that’s gotta be a good thing.

· You can load them by the dozens onto E readers, computers, palm pilots and other electronic media and carry them all instead of one or two paperbacks or hardcovers at a time.

· On the average, they’re considerably cheaper than bound books.

· No fuel is needed to transport the raw materials to the paper mills and printing presses and the finished product to stores.

· No chemicals are used to produce the ink and glue to print and bind the books.

Recently, another proof of E-book superiority has occurred to me. Most writers are voracious readers – I’m no exception. Like everybody else, the gas prices are killing my finances, and at four dollars a gallon, it’s really cutting into book buying budget. By reading E-books, I don’t have to waste gas by leaving my home to get a new book. I can browse endlessly online and pick out the prefect read.

So do your part to save the environment and your finances. Read E-books!

Creature Feature

So my friend Lori writes shape-shifter stories about hell-hounds (an animal she invented so that's even more fun). She posted an article about shape-shifting the other day--she mentioned one of my stories which is why I was particularly interested. Ever since I read that entry and that blog--a whole blog devoted to shape-shifters?-- I've been walking around with creatures in my mind. Not plots, not characters. Creatures. I've been trying to distill what part of each animal might fit a story and what makes it a possible hero/heroine type. What animal characteristics would travel along with the being when it takes its human form?

I think that it's the interaction and conflict of the human and animal parts of the shape-shifter that I enjoy. Who needs tons of internal conflict in a story if you've got a wolf constantly trying to get out?

I can't figure out any other appeal, and I enjoy those stories. Emphasis on the word stories. Encountering a real lion or wolf (or whatever carnivore you want...ever notice there aren't a lot of prey in the list of shape-shifters?) with anything other than the urge to run as fast as possible or with any sort of interest in sexuality. . . no, thanks. Yeah, I suppose the idea of encapsulating the wild part of the animal, minus the stench, is intriguing..

All sorts of critters have been anthropomorphized and turned into heroes and heroines. I read a story years ago about a hero rooster (and there's Chicken Run, of course). Brian Jacques has dozens of books about field mice warriors. And there's Watership Down, Wind in the Willows...I can think of dozens of titles (almost all for kids. Hmm)

All those stories have humans parading in animal bodies. I like it when the animals get dressed in human bodies every now and then.

It's the effect of the animal on the human form--and the other way around--that I like. Can't get that unless you have some shifting going on.