Thor? Oh, Yum!

Now this is a movie I really want to see!



Oy vey, that boy is built! The 16 yo niece and her friend want to go see this one with me. *cackle*

Official Site May 6th, 2011 

Deja Vu MTV!

Except it's name is Yahoo Music. A few weeks ago, I finally got tired of hooking and unhooking my computer to my TV to watch Netflix and Hulu. Sudden inspiration--or maybe the resparking of a few dead brain cells--reminded me of my old laptop.

I bought a new one last year because different components were messing up--keyboard due to cat claws, USB ports, CD drive. Seemed too much like a disaster waiting to happen to trust my manuscripts on it. But to hook it up to the TV to watch shows online? What's to lose? I even found a mini-wireless keyboard with a touch pad. It's the size of a remote. I can surf through the shows I want to watch without having to deal with a full sized keyboard.

The other day Brandi Evans posted Halestorm's video, A Familiar Taste of Poison, on her blog. I decided to play it on my TV--because it is an awesome video.



Then I started searching for other videos online. I found Yahoo Music. And there lies the MTV deja vu! I loved MTV back when the "M" stood for music and they played non-stop videos all day. That would be in the early 80s the young whippersnappers among you. Back then, my TV rarely had anything else on.

Good news...lots of fabulous videos and I can make my own playlists. Bad news...I can see my iTunes shopping list getting expensive because I found a lot of songs I must buy!

Currently listening/watching: Bottoms Up by Trey Songz



Even if I'm officially an old fart, I still love music of all kinds. Well, almost. I do draw the line at some things. I dread today because my evil, evil mother promised my ten year-old niece that Auntie Shayla would be happy to take her to the Justin Bieber movie.

The other day, I told Momma I was bringing earplugs to drown out the squealing screams of hyperactive tweens over a kid who seriously needs a haircut. I mean, come on. The kid's worth millions. Hire a decent barber!

But I digress... (Digress--fancy word for "saw something shiny".)

As soon as my complaint to my mother left my lips, I realized I was officially an old fart and it had nothing to do with turning 51 last week. Thirty-some-odd years ago, I was a screaming teenager at live concerts. Of course, I had better taste. I screamed for Electric Light Orchestra, the Doobie Brothers, Blue Oyster Cult and Rush. *cackle* Keep me in your thoughts as I brave the Bieber Fever crowd. I just hope I survive.

Hey, maybe I'll plug into Yahoo Music and watch my kind of videos during the movie!

From Thirty Days to Forever is available!

Yay! My novellas THIRTY DAYS and FOREVER are now available in print as FROM THIRTY DAYS TO FOREVER! The proof was gorgeous! The original cover artist, April Martinez of Graphic Fantastic, modified the cover of THIRTY DAYS to show the new title. The cover flat is fabulous!

April also formatted the book itself. Check her out if you need books formatted or covers done, she's amazing!

The backcover copy:

Thirty Days

Biton Savakis, a 42 year old wealthy lawyer in New York City, is lost without his beloved slave of ten years. Since Erik’s death from cancer three months before, the will to continue his life as a Dom slipped away. Until now. The forlorn looking redhead seems as lost as Biton feels. Maybe the young man can help ease his tension, even if only for a little while.

Cavan never chose the life of a slave, but he doesn’t clearly remember a time when he wasn’t one. Beaten close to death and thrown aside by his former Master, Cavan doesn’t know how to do anything else. When Biton offers him a temporary contract, Cavan doesn’t understand the meaning of his new Master’s words. All he knows is he has a new home and someone to serve. But what will happen to him when the contract ends... In thirty days…


Forever

In Biton Savakis’ opinion, following the advice of Cavan’s therapist isn’t working. Refraining from dominant play with an abused submissive trying to heal is one thing. Biton is willing to forgo that part of his life. However, not talking to Cavan about making their arrangement permanent doesn’t make sense.

Three months after his new master promises him forever, Cavan is afraid it won’t happen. Although the thirty day contract is long over, Biton hasn’t offered a new one. Nightmares about testifying against his former master don’t make life easier.

Just as Cavan begins to understand what he means to Biton, Cavan’s past reaches out to steal his happiness and maybe his life.


Content: M/M, bondage, Domination/submission

Thirty Days?

I just realized I haven't blogged since January 1st--thirty days. What a weird coincidence. I'll get to that in a moment.

So what have I been doing instead of blogging? Some writing. Not as much as I'd like. The evil day job has been brutal. Being an accountant is bad enough this time of year. Closing the books for the year is a headache. Not that this is the first time I've done it. It is, however, the first time I've been in charge in quite a while.

I knew going back to the old day job and taking the promotion to controller would throw a monkey wrench in my writing. I just didn't realize how much. Thankfully, my friend Brandi Evans is pulling my muse out of the darkness and the numbers.

This month we've gotten back to meeting on weekends to write. Between August and December, I averaged 1500 words a month. Since Brandi's been cracking the whip, I've written nearly 6k words on my new BDSM story in January. *cackle*

Speaking of cracking the whip--and the weird coincidence of thirty days--I'm putting my Liquid Silver novellas, THIRTY DAYS and FOREVER, into print. I'm waiting now on the final proof before it goes into distribution titled FROM THIRTY DAYS TO FOREVER.

The first copy, hot off the press, will be given away in a contest on Lissa Matthew's blog celebrating her birthday. She's having a birthday blog blast for the month of February with some awesome giveaways from a bunch of authors! Check out her blog each day for more information.

January has turned out to be a pretty decent month--except for the 14-16 hour days at the EDJ. Our annual audit is in February so things should slow down after that. Hopefully.

I hope life is treating you gently.

Have a fabulous day!
Shayla

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2011!

2010 has been an interesting year. Interesting isn't always a good thing. There's an old curse that says, "May you live in interesting times." But I take hope in the other saying, "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger."

So another year gone. Another decade is history. Seems as if the last ten years flew by in a flash of streaming starfields. That'd be warp speed for the non-Trekkers among you. *cackle* I think the older I get, the faster time flies.

I don't do New Year's resolutions. I feel like I'm setting myself up to fail with over ambitious goals. However, I will be general about what I hope to see in 2011.

Get healthier. Write more. Don't let the evil day job take over my life. Spend more time with family and friends.

The last one I'm jumping into today. Taking the 16yo niece and her friend to see Tron: Legacy in 3D on the IMAX.

To all my friends, online and off, I hope you have a fabulous 2011 and life brings you everything you desire!

Hugs!
Shayla

Merry Christmas!

One of my favorite Christmas songs done to perfection by the Gloucester Cathedral Choir - In the Bleak Midwinter. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Guest Blog at The Rainbow Studio!

Talking about my contribution to Ellora's Cave's Naughty Nooner freebies! And there's a drawing for an AllRomanceEbook gift certificate! Check it out at http://therainbowstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/love-at-first-sight.html.

Have a fabulous day!
Shayla

Winner of the Roses Day 8 Contest!

Christine (Chirth7@), come on down! You are the winner of a $15 gift certificate to AllRomanceEbooks! I'll contact you by email for your information! Congratulations and thank you for playing!

Thanks to everyone who answered. I hope all have a fabulous and safe holiday season! And keep checking out the Roses Colored Glasses December calendar for more articles and contests!

Shayla

Music For the Writer's Soul: Marcia Ball

I first heard Marcia Ball in the mid-90s. One of her songs, Blue House, was on a compilation CD called Blues Women Today. I really enjoyed the song and started keeping an eye out for her albums.

Then along came Memphis in May. Every year, the first weekend in May rocks the Mississippi River with the Beale Street Music Festival. I don't remember exactly which year--maybe 1997--my little sister, my ex-sister-in-law and I did a last minute what the heck and headed to Memphis. The big reason for the trip was to see Kenny Wayne Shepperd, an up and coming artist from Louisiana. But guess who else was on the lineup?

Marcia Ball. I fell in love with her voice, her energy and her obvious joy in her music. Wikipedia quotes the Boston Globe in describing her music as "an irresistible celebratory blend of rollicking, two-fisted New Orleans piano, Louisiana swamp-rock and smoldering Texas blues from a contemporary storyteller." I couldn't describe it better.

The trip that year started my love of Memphis. You can't beat the food, the fun and the music. They don't claim to be the home of the blues for nothing. Many of my novels are set in Memphis because of my infatuation with the town. And some of Marcia's music is usually ringing in my ears while I write them.

Try listening to Play With Your Poodle and not tap your toes...



Rose's Colored Glasses December Calendar Day 7 contest: For a $10 iTunes or Amazon.com gift card, post in the comments an artist who has inspired you. Winner will be announced on Saturday, December 11th.

Winner of the LLAP Contest from Roses Colored Glasses Day 3!

Winner of the LLAP/Twitter contest on rosescoloredglasses.com Day 3 is Michelle L! Congratulations! And thanks to everyone who played!

Michelle, I'll contact you by email for your choice of ebook from my backlist!

Shayla