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    Tuesday, September 30, 2008

    Midnight Brew presents Joy Nash

    Our guest today is USA Today bestselling romance author, Joy Nash. She loves to write her dreams - and sometimes, her nightmares! As a child, she loved books and harbored a secret desire to be a writer. She became an architect instead. Years later, giving birth to three children in less than four years caused something in her brain to snap. Now she creates buildings and romance novels. When not reading or writing, Joy's hobbies include brain-numbing movie binges, staring into space, and wishing her house was clean. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, kids, and a liver-spotted Dalmatian that she swears was a cat in a past life.

    The Midnight Moon Café is proud to present Ms. Joy Nash!!!


    MMC: Welcome to the Midnight Moon Café, Joy. When did you first become interested in writing paranormal romances?

    Joy: Originally I was interested in writing straight fantasy, but about ten years ago I became aware of all the new cross-genre paranormal romances and I was hooked! I always thought there should be more romance in fantasy and sci-fi!

    MMC: Let's talk a little about world-building in The Immortals series. Who came up with the backstory for this wonderful series? And how does that setting affect your main characters?

    Joy: Jennifer Ashley conceived the Immortals world, and Jennifer, Robin and I worked together to set up the rules of magic for the world and to develop the backstories of the original five Immortal warrior brothers. Other characters sprang to life as needed! It’s a great setting where anything can happen—and does.

    MMC: What was the inspiration for this series?

    Joy: You’ll have to ask Jennifer that question!

    MMC: Last year you wrote The Awakening for The Immortal series. For those who aren’t familiar with these, tell us a bit about it.

    Joy: In The Awakening, Coven of Light witch Christine Lachlan, on a quest to save the world from increasing death magic, travels to northern Scotland to track down the elusive Immortal Kalen—but finds out he’s no longer interested in humanity’s problems. Or so he says. Kalen is hiding a dark secret that prevents him from taking part in the battle to save the world. But Christine isn’t willing to take no for an answer…

    MMC: The Crossing, which will be released in October, is part of a new set of The Immortal series. How does this story continue the series in general? Is there any relationship between this book and The Awakening?

    Joy: Mac, the Celtic demigod hero of The Crossing, is the best friend of Immortal Kalen from The Awakening. Mac was one of the most popular secondary characters I’ve ever written – as soon as The Awakening was out, readers started asking for Mac’s story. I’m so fortunate to have been given the chance to write it—it was a blast. While Kalen and Christine make brief appearances in The Crossing, the story belongs to Mac and his heroine—the intriguing life/death witch Artemis Black.

    MMC: Since you’re dealing with Celtic mythology in The Crossing, what sort of research did you do to bring this story to life so wonderfully?

    Joy: Mac's character has his roots in Celtic myth, but the main research I did for The Crossing wasn’t Celtic-oriented. It was a re-reading of my high school copy of Dante’s Inferno.

    MMC: What challenges have you faced in the process of writing The Crossing?

    Joy: The quick deadline! My publisher decided to extend the Immortals series soon after the release of The Awakening last August. At the time I was working on a book in my Druids of Avalon series, which I had to put aside to write The Crossing and my novella, “Blood Debt” for the Immortals: The Reckoning anthology. Fans of my historical fantasy Druids of Avalon series have been asking for the next Druids book, and I have to tell them there will be a bit of a wait.

    MMC: How does this book continue the previous story, Immortals: The Redeeming?

    Joy: The Crossing is not directly connected to the events in The Redeeming, other than taking place in the Immortals world.

    MMC: What do you think is the key writing a truly memorable story?

    Joy: It’s definitely the characters. If a reader can fall in love with your characters, and believe they are real people, the story is well on its way.

    MMC: Let's say you've just landed a movie deal, and you get to pick the actor who'll play Mac from The Crossing, who would you pick and why?

    Joy: OMG! It would probably be someone young enough to date my daughter, lol. I actually could see Dominic Monaghan in the role, if he were a little taller and his accent a little more Scots. I was heartbroken when he died on the TV series Lost.

    MMC: Now to the fun questions. We always asks our guests, what's something that your readers may not know about you?

    Joy: They might not know that I’m an architect! Can’t say that I know too many architects who have turned to writing romance in midlife, lol.

    MMC: Do you have a favorite food/beverage/music do you always have on hand while you're writing?

    Joy: No music, I prefer absolute silence (not that I always get it around my house!) I try to avoid munching at the keyboard—writing is sedentary enough! My beverage of choice is tea – hot in the winter, iced in the summer.

    MMC: What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

    Joy: Reading romances, especially sexy regencies.

    MMC: What would you say are your three passions in life?

    Joy: My kids, my husband, and my home.

    MMC: Do you have a newsletter, blog, or website where fans can read about you and your books?

    Joy: Get the latest news and sign up for my newsletter on my website, www.joynash.com

    ------

    Contest Time!

    Win a copy of Immortals: The Crossing!!! We're part of Joy’s 50 Days 50 Books Giveaway contest extravaganza, and today is last day, so this your last chance to win a copy of it. Participating will be totally simple. All you have to do is leave a comment, and a winner will be chosen among those who post.

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    Monday, September 29, 2008

    The Sunday-Sundae Contest Winner is...

    BarbP.

    Congrats Barb!
    I see a hot fudge sundae in your future! LOL

    Please email us at: midnightmooncafe @ gmail. com (no spaces) with the subject line: Sunday Sundae Winner, along with your name and mailing address so we can send your gift prize.

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    Tomorrow Joy Nash is here!

    That's right! We're having an early Midnight Brew when USA Today bestselling paranormal romance author, Joy Nash, comes to chat with us about her new book in the second series of the Immortals, Immortals: The Crossing.

    Blurb: Celtic demigod Manannán mac Lir (Mac) is hot on the trail of Artemis Black, a stunningly dangerous witch who is inexplicably able to intertwine life magic with death magic. Her rare talent nearly killed a faerie infant under Mac’s protection. For the safety of his people, he should punish her severely for this crime.

    But once Mac runs Artemis to ground, he finds he just can’t handle the sexy, infuriating witch. Artemis is both vulnerable and cunning, and it’s not often that Mac meets a female who can tug at his heartstrings and challenge his magic. Each time Mac thinks he’s got Artemis cornered, she slips from his grasp. Soon, he’s obsessed.

    Artemis is desperate. So desperate, she’s been skimming life essence from faeries, despite the inherent danger, intending to barter the stolen magic for the assistance of a ruthless demon. When her spell races out of control, nearly killing a faerie young one, Artemis calls the spell back. But not quickly enough to escape the notice of one very angry, very sexy Celtic demigod.

    Passions run high between Artemis and Mac—and so does suspicion. What human would refuse the help of a demigod? Mac’s sure Artemis is hiding something he’s not going to like. It’s clear she’s in trouble, and dealing in dangerous magic. He won’t let her destroy herself. He’s going to stick tight by her side until he uncovers the truth.

    Even when she leads him straight into Hell.


    See the trailer:



    Win a copy of Immortals: The Crossing in Joy’s 50 Days 50 Books Giveaway contest extravaganza! Tomorrow, Tuesday (Sept. 30th), will be the last day, so it's your last chance to win a copy of it. Find out tomorrow during the interview.
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    Sunday, September 28, 2008

    Sunday Fun - Contest!

    Sharing a little Sunday fun. For those of you who have read the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, you know that the character Sam (the owner of the bar) has a dog.

    But do you know what breed Sam's dog happens to be? :wink:

    Leave a comment and if you are correct, you'll be entered into our Sunday-Sundae Contest, to win a gift certificate from Dairy Queen! Umm, banana splits, chocolate malteds and yummy blizzards! Delish!

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    Saturday, September 27, 2008

    Enjoy some female adult entertainment this weekend

    You know what they say, good girls go to Heaven, bad girls have a hell of a fun. *winks* So for all you naughty chicas, here's some erotic links for your... entertainment. *wicked grin*

    Playgirl

    Just for the Girls

    Shhh Magazine

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    Friday, September 26, 2008

    Three authors, a great series - The Immortals

    If you love paranormal romances as much as I do, then you're going to love these books. This is the first set of the Immortals. The second one is coming out starting this month. Next week, on Tuesday (Sept. 30), I'll be having an early Midnight Brew when paranormal romance author, Joy Nash, will visit us to talk about her latest release in the second Immortals series, Immortals: The Crossing. And she'll be giving away a copy of it!!! *winks*

    Meanwhile I'm leaving you all with books of the first Immortals series. *g*

    The Calling
    by Jennifer Ashley

    A contemporary witch, Amber Silverthorne, is in a deserted warehouse in Seattle, casting her spells and looking for her sister's murderer, when she is attacked by an ancient demon. Just as abruptly, the demon is attacked by a tall, hunky guy flashing a sword, who later claims to have "just been passing through." Meet Adrian -- an Immortal, a son of Isis, and ultimate loner. It doesn't take much for Adrian and Amber to begin a passionate affair, but it will take a lot longer for this ultimate control freak to surrender his heart. As Amber looks for her sister's murderer, Adrian continues to search for his brother Tain, missing for 700 years. But the hunt for Tain results in...severe complications. Amber assembles a multitalented team --a dragon, a werewolf, a powerful vampire, a movie star, a police detective, and an Immortal -- to meet the challenge.

    The Darkening
    Robin T. Popp

    Created at the dawn of time to protect humanity, the ancient warriors have been nearly forgotten, though magic lives on--in vampires, werewolves, the Celtic Sidhe, and other beings. But now one of their own has turned rogue, and the world is again in desperate need of the IMMORTALS.

    A werewolf and bounty hunter, Lexi was badass to the bone. She had no problem protecting herself in the seedy underground vampire clubs of New York City. Until the Immortal she had tried to summon actually appeared. It wasn't the intricate tattoos around his well-defined muscles that intimidated her; it was the raw power she saw shimmering in his golden brown eyes, power mingled with lust. Though she longed to give in to the passion and pleasure he promised, they first had a curse to break, a brother to find, and a whole legion of vampires to prevent from joining ...THE DARKENING.

    The Awakening
    by Joy Nash

    She came to him in a dream: her creamy skin delectably cool, silky raven hair smelling of the sea and ocean-blue eyes reflecting the depths of her passion. She was everything Kalen had been desperate to capture in his art--and in his bed. In reality, when Christine found his remote Scottish castle, it was to persuade the Immortal warrior to help repel the darkness spreading around the world. But Kalen had a vindictive Sidhe trying to steal his powers and a dark secret of his own to battle before he and Christine could give in to...THE AWAKENING


    The Gathering
    by Jennifer Ashley

    He was known as "the crazy one." And Leda Stowe could see why after finding the stunning half-naked warrior in her lion's pen--unarmed and completely unafraid. Though he could somehow soothe the temperamental beast, nothing could calm the desire that sparked through her body at his touch. She wished they could hide away together on her island forever, but the world thrummed with danger. Before Leda could claim Hunter for herself, they would have to join the other Immortals to face the greatest trial yet: THE GATHERING

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    The winner of the Rita Herron's contest is...

    Tori Lennox


    Congrats! *throws confetti* Send us an email with your name and address to midnightmooncafe@gmail.com. Write "Demonborn winner" in the subject. *g*
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    Thursday, September 25, 2008

    Midnight Brew presents Rita Herron

    Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. Although she wanted to be a writer then and actually scrawled her first novel at age twelve, she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a kindergarten teacher instead. Ten years ago, she traded her classroom storytelling and puppets for a computer and now writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.

    Having sold over thirty books to date, she enjoys spinning spine-tingling romantic suspense tales filled with murder, mayhem, and spicy romance as well as sexy romantic comedies. She currently writes for HQN, Harlequin Intrigue, Harlequin American, Dorchester and Belle Books. Recently she has published a new paranormal series, Demonborn.

    The Midnight Moon Café has the pleasure to present Ms. Rita Herron!

    MMC: Welcome to the Midnight Moon Café, Rita. When did you first become interested in writing paranormal romances?

    Rita: I’ve been writing romance for twelve years, and some of my earlier books, Intrigues and HQN, had elements of the paranormal in them. My Nighthawk Island series centers around a medical research so I use elements that border on the paranormal but can be explained with new research, drugs or medical techniques.

    Even as a kid though, I was drawn to shows like the Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock and The Outer Limits. And in the past few years, I’ve been drawn to shows and books with paranormal elements in them.

    About three years ago, I had a paranormal series idea which turned out to be similar to the show Medium – when I saw the show advertised, I had to change my idea to make it different. But I kept the medium as the heroine in Insatiable Desire.

    MMC: Since you’re pubbed in multiple genres, do you approach writing a paranormal romance any differently than suspense romance?

    Rita: Yes, and no. Since I’m also blending suspense in my series, I create the plot and conflict similarly, but I do have to blend in the paranormal element. This adds yet another conflict to the story and has to be inherent to the plot and characters.

    The world building is the major difference. In my HQN books, I tried to incorporate the setting as a character. With the paranormal, the setting and paranormal elements have to be blended in smoothly as well. That was a job, but also the fun and challenging part -- how to make the paranormal work for the particular characters, setting and storyline.

    MMC: Let's talk a little about world-building in The Demonborn series. How did you come up with your backstory for this series? And how does that setting affect your main characters?

    Rita: First, I knew I wanted my heroine to talk to the dead, also to be struggling with this gift. Since I write dark, gritty stories, I wanted the atmosphere to be spooky so chose a southern small town in the mountains of Tennessee and added in folk legends, ghost stories, and landmarks to make the setting stand out and give the town character.

    The beauty of a small town is that you’re supposed to feel safe, that everyone knows everyone else. But do we really know our neighbors? And what if something strange happened in that town to threaten that safety?

    Also, having grown up in the South, I’m drawn to folk legends and myths. So I knew I wanted my paranormal elements to be based on local legends for a particular area. In this series, I have a dangerous forest, the Black Forest, which is supposedly haunted by monsters and demons, a forest that if you enter, you might not come out alive. This forest probably comes from my childhood imagination – I remember being five and not old enough to go into the woods alone. Then I imagined all kinds of monsters in there!

    Vincent, the hero of Insatiable Desire (the Demonborn) is the only person who has ever gone into that forest and survived. So that makes him an anomaly in itself. People in the town wonder if he’s demon or human.

    I also use The Devil’s Tree, a tree where no grass will grow and snow melts when it touches it, as the tree where the heroine’s mother died – again, this is a folk legend and atmospheric. And there’s Hell’s Hollow, a place where a neighborhood burned to the ground and you can still hear the screams of the dying when you pass by.

    Another important part of the folklore and book came from research – while reading about Greek mythology, I discovered that some believed Satan’s palace on earth was made of black rock. So I used this to create the terrifying place where Vincent last saw his father, and where he must return to fight the demon in the end.

    For a list of all the legends and landmarks, you can visit my new website www.thedemonborn.com

    MMC: What was the inspiration for this wonderful series?

    Rita: First my husband is always joking about my phobias! So I had an idea about a killer using a person’s worst fear to kill them. Since everyone has different fears, I thought – what if it’s a demon serial killer and at first, the deaths looks like accidents, and unrelated? How could they tie them together. Then came Clarissa, the medium, who hears the cries of the victims and makes the connection.

    Secondly, I’ve always wondered why one person can be dealt a tragedy or trauma and make something good out of it whereas another person would crumble or become bitter? This goes back to the age-old argument of nature vs. nurture. Are people born bad?

    This is a theme I wanted to explore. Is a person all bad? Does a good person have bad in them?

    This lead to The Demonborn, heroes are born part demon – Vincent’s father is a spawn of Satan, his mother, an Angel of Light. So how will he turn out? Can he overcome the evil inside him? Which side will win in the end?

    MMC: What sort of research is required to bring it to life?

    Rita: I read a lot about folklore, mythology and different places, then picked and chose what I wanted to use to create the spooky atmosphere, even twisted some of it around. That’s the beauty of fiction!

    MMC: Now Insatiable Desire is the first installment in the new series. Tell us more about this story.

    Rita: It’s a coming of “demon” story for Vincent, the hero and an FBI agent, who has repressed memories of his childhood because they were so horrific. As the story begins, he is forced to return to his hometown to investigate the possibility of a serial killer. The crimes don’t look like murders, but Clarissa King, the resident psychic insists they are.

    Vincent and Clarissa knew each other as children, and go head to head on every level. The intense attraction between them is hard to deny. But Vincent is a loner and never beds a woman more than once – once would mean getting involved. But soon he realizes that Clarissa is right, and that they aren’t only dealing with a serial killer, but a demonic one. Worse, he must accept whom he is to save her and the town...

    MMC: What challenges have you faced in the process of writing Insatiable Desire?

    Rita: One challenge was blending all the elements smoothly, paranormal, romance, suspense. Also, I wanted to make this one really dark, edgy, creepy, and sexy. But the biggest challenge was writing an alpha hero without making him look abusive or like a jerk. That’s always tricky. Vincent is really traumatized from his past. Couple that with the fact that the demonic side of him is pulling at him, he’s a really dark guy who can go either way.

    MMC: What’s your favorite aspect of the book?

    Rita: I love the demon killer – one touch and he knows your worst fear and uses it to kill you. I also love the fact that the hero is fighting his bad side, and that ultimately the one thing he doesn’t want and resists the most – love – is the one thing that saves his soul and keeps him in balance.

    MMC: What attracts you about the paranormal characters you write about?

    Rita: I think the paranormal characters are deeply layered. They have all the conflicts of a regular person, but added to that, they must deal with their supernatural status and the power/gift they’ve been given.

    I like putting these characters into the real world to see how they’ll cope, adapt and blend in.

    MMC: What do you think is the key writing a truly memorable story?

    Rita: Hmm, a lot of things. Great characters, a strong hook – but most of all the story has to tug at the heart in some way. It makes you really laugh, cry, makes you think about those characters after you close the book. I think if you create characters the readers can identify with in some way, then they’ll root for them and remember them.

    MMC: Let's say you've just landed a movie deal, and you get to pick the actor who'll play Vincent Valtrez, who would you pick and why?

    Rita: Oooh, hard one. Russell Crowe would be great as he’s so sexy and a major tough guy. But for a younger guy, Alex O’Loughlin – who starred in the TV vampire series Moonlight – he is major HOT!

    MMC: Would there be another book in The Demonborn series? If so, can you give us a preview?

    Rita: Actually Insatiable Desire is the first book in The Demonborn trilogy. Book 2, Dark Hunger, is scheduled to come out next August!

    In Dark Hunger, the hero, an assassin, is also part demon and struggles with his inner darkness. Yet a reporter, Annabelle Armstrong is on his tail, ready to get his story and expose him.

    Quinton faces another demon – with one touch, the Death Angel has the power to bend a person’s mind and use it to turn him into a killer. No spoilers, but the book has an explosive opening!

    MMC: How do you celebrate a good day in writing?

    Rita: A nice glass of wine! And as a reward for finishing a book or difficult part, I’ll treat myself to a shopping spree, a movie or – I’ll get to read one of the books on my TBR pile!

    MMC: What do you do when you get stuck in a story?

    Rita: When I get stuck, I call my critique partner or another writing friend and we talk it out. Also, I take a break, go for a long walk or drive. Walking not only stimulates my body, but my mind, and I can think things through.

    MMC: Now to the fun questions. What's something that your readers may not know about you?

    Rita: I used to write for Sweet Valley kids and taught kindergarten in a Baptist church.

    MMC: Can you give us an idea of what your writing/working area looks like?

    Rita: LOL. I have a nice office with a wall of bookshelves. I used to stay there when the kids were home. Now I have a laptop and I work in the den, the kitchen, wherever I feel like it. And I’m terribly messy with notes everywhere, all over the kitchen table, the desk, etc. And I can’t work with a diet coke beside me. That and Pita chips!

    MMC: When not writing, how do you relax?

    Rita: Relax? What the heck is that? Seriously, I watch TV or movies. Love all the crime shows, paranormal shows on now. I read. Go shopping. My favorite is a trip to the beach – I fantasize about a beach house one day. Now if I would just only sell that movie, maybe I could buy it!

    MMC: What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

    Rita: Guilty pleasure – ice cream. Martinis. Chocolate.

    MMC: Do you have a newsletter, blog, or website where fans can read about you and your books?

    Rita: You can sign up on my newsletter at www.ritaherron.com. You can also link to my new site from there or straight to it: www.thedemonborn.com. I also blog at myspace.com/ritaherron


    ----

    Contest Time!

    Now you can win a copy of Ms. Herron's first paranormal romance novel, Insatiable Desire, book one in her new Demonborn series. How? All you have to do is post your comments and a winner will be chosen among the posters. But hurry! This contest ends this Friday at mid-day.

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    Thursday Thirteen

    13 Paranormal Romance Novels
    with Demons as Characters


    1. "The Devil You know" - Christine Warren


    2. "Demon's Fire" - Emma Holly


    3. "Succubus on Top" - Richelle Mead


    4. "Insatiable Desire" - Rita Herron


    5. "The Outlaw Demon Wails" - Kim Harrison


    6. "You Slay Me" - Katie McAlister


    7. "Personal Demon" - Kelly Armstrong


    8. "Pleasure Unbound" - Larissa Ione


    9. "Demon Angel" - Meljean Brooks


    10. "Hell's Belles" - Jackie Kessler


    11. "Noah" - Jacqueline Frank


    12. "Lucinda, Darkly" - Sunny


    13. "Carpe Demon" - Julie Kenner


    Extra one:

    14. "Devil You Know" - Jenna Black



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    Wednesday, September 24, 2008

    Hump Day Hunk



    This is Puerto Rican actor, Julian Gil, who'll be playing Dr. Padrón in the vampire romance mini-series, Gabriel. *winks* Helloooooooooo doctor!

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    Tuesday, September 23, 2008

    Rita Herron on our next Midnight Brew!

    In the next Midnight Brew, our special guest is known for her romantic suspense tales filled with murder, mayhem, and spicy romance as well as sexy romantic comedies for HQN, Harlequin Intrigue, Harlequin American, Dorchester. Now multi-published, award-winning, romance author Rita Herron will sit with us to chat about her first paranormal romance novel, Insatiable Desire, book one in her new Demonborn series.
    Blurb: Plagued by graphic visions and the desperate cries of murder victims, psychic Clarissa King will do anything to stop the brutal killer targeting her hometown--even work alongside the dangerously sexy FBI agent who thinks she's a fraud. He's the one man who sparks a hunger she never imagined possible--and the one man she should fear...

    Vincent Valtrez knows how to get inside a serial killer's mind. But with a dangerous past and a secret to keep, he wants nothing to do with this gorgeous psychic--especially since just the thought of her luscious body ignites a dark, irrepressible desire he's determined to keep at bay. When the killer they seek turns out to be demonic and otherworldly, Vincent learns his connection to the murderer is more than just hunter and prey. Will the darkness inside Vincent claim him...or will he save Clarissa--and himself--from the evil that threatens them both?

    As always we'll be running a contest, and you can win a copy of Ms. Herron's Insatiable Desire. So join us this coming Thursday, Sept. 25, here at the Café.
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    Monday, September 22, 2008

    A Hot Latino to play Gabriel the Vampire

    Oh boy, I was totally excited when I heard Puerto Rican singer, Chayanne, will be playing Gabriel, a tormented 300-year-old vampire, in the upcoming vampire romance mini-series, Gabriel: Amor Inmortal. Yes, that's him in the pic alright. *wg* Doesn't he look dark, dangerous, and oh-so deliciously sexy? It's okay, chicas. Take a moment to drool. (I'm doing some drooling of my own.) *winks*

    Gabriel was shot on location in Miami, Puerto Rico, Rome and Venice. Here's the story:

    "Gabriel," the first high-definition miniseries ever produced for Spanish-language audiences, is a poignant love story of reincarnation, revenge and redemption, set against today’s neo-Gothic underworld of vampirism and the occult.

    A tale filled with suspense, romance and melodrama, the series centers on Gabriel (Chayanne), a modern day vampire who is in search of the redemption of his soul through his love for a woman. Each episode will keep viewers on the edge of their seats with surprising and shocking plot twists to this love story between a handsome vampire hero, Gabriel, and Eva, the woman he loves.

    For centuries, this love has burned deep in Gabriel’s heart. The story begins 300 years ago when he was still mortal and his village was attacked by Pizarro, an ancient evil vampire that killed many of the village’s people – including Gabriel’s wife. After his wife was killed, Gabriel confronted Pizarro and managed to injure him during the fight. Scarred and filled with vengeance, Pizarro decided to make Gabriel endure an eternity of pain instead of ending his life quickly. Gabriel has been roaming the nights ever since.


    Here are the promos:





    The first episode aired last night, September 21, on Mega TV, which is available only on DirectTV. So if you have DirectTV, check it out! *g* It doesn't matter if you don't understand Spanish. Chayanne just looks too hot to miss. Besides, imagine that dark sexy vampire whispering sweet words in Spanish. Anyone feeling their panties melting already? *wg*

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    Sunday, September 21, 2008

    Marta Acosta's Casa Dracula Books Winner is...

    Kara!


    Congratulations, Kara!
    You won the entire series of Ms. Acosta's books!

    Please email us at midnightmooncafe @ gmail. com (no spaces) with your full name and mailing address.

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    Shifting Tides: Song of The Sea Song Contest Winner is...

    Christy!


    Congratulations, Christy! Please email us at midnightmooncafe @ gmail .com (no spaces) with your preferred file format choice, so we can send your prizes!

    Also, one or more of your song suggestions will be used in the final book in Cass' Shifting Tides trilogy, Soul of the Sea, scheduled for release next year.

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    Here's a Chris Angel fan!

    Okay, I admit it. I'm a Mindfreak! I love Christ Angel! I think he's cute. Hehehe! I watch Mindfreak every time I can. Here are some of my fave moments:







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    Saturday, September 20, 2008

    Talk Like A Pirate Day Winner!

    The winner of our International Talk Like A Pirate Day giveaway is...

    J.K. Coi

    *confetti* *confetti* *confetti*

    Congrats, J.K.! You've won a copy of Sabrina Jeffries The Pirate Lord and a treasure trove of authors cards and goodies.

    To claim your prize, simply email Cora at corazane[at] aol [dot]com with Pirate Day Winner in the subject line. Please include the snail mail address where you'd like your goodies sent.


    A special thanks to all ye spirited landlubbers who joined in for International Talk Like a Pirate Day. What a fine bit o' plundering we've done! Arr! #_^

    Please keep checking back for more chances to win at the Midnight Moon Cafe!

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    Weekend Flirt: How to Give a Spanking

    How to Give a Spanking
    By: eHow Health Editor

    No matter what you find arousing about it, erotic spanking between sexual partners can be a thrilling experience. However, there is an art to giving a spanking, as there is a delicate line between fun and unadulterated punishment.

    Provide Good Spank

    Step 1 - Discuss your needs long before the spanking. Be sure each person is getting what he wants from the experience. Agree on limits, such as certain body parts to strike, certain levels of pain or particular implements with which to spank.

    Step 2 - Decide on a safe word or signal in advance. The spankee uses this word only if she truly wants the spanking to stop. She may need to give it if the pain goes beyond her tolerance or if the spanking is emotionally overwhelming. The spanker must immediately stop if the safe word is used.

    Step 3 - Begin the spanking with a ritual of some sort. Have your spankee undress and neatly fold his clothes, for example.

    Step 4 - Choose a position for your spankee to be in during the spanking. It could be over your knees or across the bed. Some people also like to kneel on the floor or on a chair with the buttocks facing outward.

    Step 5 - Give a warmup with light spanks at first. You might choose to begin spanking over her jeans or panties, working up to spanking her bare skin.

    Step 6 - Spank harder once the warmup is complete. Keep your spankee guessing to add to his excitement. Spank him in an irregular pattern, so he will not know when the next spank is coming.

    Step 7 - Use different hand positions to create varied sensations. Keep your hand flat and your fingers spread to produce a sharper feeling. Cup your hand around your spankee's buttocks for a softer touch and a loud, clapping noise.

    Step 8 - Try using items like a hairbrush or paddle to intensify spankings.

    Step 9 - Give a cool down when you are done with the spanking. Lightly caress your spankee's butt or rub lotion into her skin, as bottoms need attention after getting spanked. Cuddle your partner or spend a few minutes together to add to the intimacy.

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    Friday, September 19, 2008

    International Talk Like A Pirate Day


    Arr! Ahoy there, me maties! Today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

    We here at the Midnight Moon Cafe are set to break out the rum, and use the cat o' nine tails to bring up the manacled men-wenches from below deck, men who be not only hardbodied fellows of the good trade of piracy, but who are also possibly shapeshifters or other paranormal hotties (hearties?) as well.

    Need to brush up on yer pirate slang? Then try these here fine links:

    http://www.yarr.org.uk/talk/
    http://www.thepiratesrealm.com/pirate%20talk.html


    Or if yer wanting, try out this fun Pirate - to -English translator. Arr!
    http://www.talklikeapirate.com/translator.html


    Yo ho ho ... Paperback Piratey Goodness
    The Pirate Lord, by Sabrina Jeffries (AVON)

    A shipload of women--theirs for the taking! Pirate captain Gideon Horn couldn't be more delighted. His men are tired of wandering the high seas and want to settle down with wives on the uncharted island paradise they've discovered. And the women are bound to be grateful to be rescued from the life of drudgery awaiting them in New South Wales...

    Married? To pirates? Sara Willis couldn't be more appalled. First she demands proper courting--at least a month. The darkly handsome pirate lord gives them two weeks. Then Sara insists the men vacate their huts for the women--Gideon requires her kisses in return. As the demands heat up, so do their passions--and soon Sara can't remember just why she's fighting the devilishly seductive captain so hard...





    Shiver me timbers - check out these sexy, sexy pirates! Know of any more?








    Captain Jack Sparrow...hot as a south wind, and undead to boot.

















    Captain Dawg Brown, aka Frank Langella...aka Dracula, circa 1970's...boom chicka wow wow...









    Ahoy there! Best be steering clear of the gaming tables, young Turner. You'll find yourself cursed to an eternity of sailing the 7 seas...







    WIN SOME BOOTY
    (Yo ho ho, me always wanted to type that!)



    So, any of you hearties want to win the pirate's treasure? Post in today's comments and you'll be entered to win Captain Cora's prize of the day: a copy of Sabrina Jeffries The Pirate Lord, and a treasure trove of authors goodies: magnets, a pen, and a set of authors bookmarks and cards.

    The winner will be drawn on Saturday - everyone who posts will have their name tossed into the magical crow's nest for a chance to win. Now off ye get, scurvy seadogs! Enter more than once if ye wish...but whatever you say - it must be said in Pirate Talk!



    Arr! #_^






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    An inspirational story from a romance writer

    The writing business is tough, and there's no doubt about it. And making it in the ever-growing romance novel business is even tougher. Trying to get a terrific agent and that juicy book contract... it's what all beginners hope for. Dream of. Right? However, for those of us who have been trying to make it, we all know how disheartening it's to get rejection letter after rejection letter. It seems like there's no end to them. Each letter is like a knife cutting us deeply where it hurts the most - our self-confidence in our writing skills.

    So, if you've ever been there, getting rejection letters, and you are feeling that you're wasting your time slaving in front of the computer every day and are ready to give up writing, perhaps you should check this I found on Sherrilyn Kenyon and how she got her "happily ever after" in the writing business. Maybe after watching this you might see there's still hope...

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    Thursday, September 18, 2008

    The Midnight Brew Presents: Marta Acosta

    Our guest tonight is the author of the bestselling Casa Dracula series, Marta Acosta.

    A feral reader, often found roaming the stacks of the public library, Ms. Acosta lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

    She received a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Stanford University and has written for the San Francisco Chronicle, the Contra Costa Times, and Spaces Magazine.

    Marta lives with her husband and son and their crazy dog. An avid gardener, she likes independent films, funny novels, loud music, and lively conversations.

    She’s always happy to hear from readers, even the ones who point out typos.

    The Midnight Moon Cafe is happy to welcome back, the always effervescent, Marta Acosta!


    Cass: Congratulations on the release of your third book in the Casa Dracula series. I recently re-read the first two books in your series, Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, and Midnight Brunch. For those readers unfamiliar with your wonderful books, could you give them a little background?

    Marta: Thanks for taking the time to re-read my books and for having me here at Midnight Brew.

    Milagro de Los Santos is a funny, smart, impulsive young woman with a degree from a Fancy University (F.U.). She lives in a terrible apartment, has awful jobs, and writes political horror stories that no one wants to read. When she goes to a book party for her successful ex-boyfriend, she meets a fabulous man, Oswald. But Oswald and his family suffer from a genetic anomaly that some people would call vampirism. Milagro is accidentally contaminated by his blood and soon she’s on the run from anti-vampire extremists. She’s forced to hide out with Oswald's very snobby, wealthy family at their country estate and they’re not happy to have her there. Oh, and Oswald has neglected to tell Milagro that he’s engaged to an amazing, beautiful woman.

    The vampires operate in secrecy, and Milagro is constantly trying to discover the truth about them. Different factions are trying to manipulate her, use her, or eliminate her for their own purposes. Complicating things is the all too attractive Ian Ducharme, a decadent and dangerous admirer who is part of the mysterious Vampire Council.

    Cass: How would you describe the humor in your series?

    Marta: Oh, you would ask me a hard question! A lot of the humor is situational; Milagro finds herself in crazy predicaments and has to figure a way out. Milagro’s humor is self-deprecating and quirky, but much of the laughs come from her sarcastic exchanges with Oswald's grandmother, Edna.

    Even though they are trying to one-up each other, there's an underlying appreciation, so the humor isn't mean. Milagro’s take on things is peculiar, so I often return to her scenes and think, “Okay, that’s how a normal person would react. But how would Milagro react?”

    Cass: Your heroine, Milagro de los Santos has had more than a few complications on her journey to wedded bliss. In The Bride of Casa Dracula, she must go before the Vampire Council. When you first envisioned the council, did you base it on any real-life counterparts? I know when I read that section in the book, I immediately thought of La Cosa Nostra. ::grins::

    Marta: I’m so cynical that I think many of the worst monsters in the world are well-respected men in dark blue suits with good manners. When I originally thought of the Council, it was as a quasi-governmental agency filled with bureaucrats. But the Vampire Council, like any other bureaucratic organization, is not as civilized as it appears. Beneath the respectable facade, there are ruthless factions who will do anything for power and profit.

    Cass: Do you feel there is more inner conflict for your heroine, Milagro, in The Bride of Casa Dracula as compared to the first two books?

    Marta: I think that the conflict was always there. Milagro frequently jokes about her mother, and that’s the way she copes with the fact that she was raised by a heartless bitch. I think that her grandmother’s love was the only thing that saved Milagro from being truly damaged. Happy Hour at Casa Dracula is about Milagro's search for the family and home that she never had.

    Midnight Brunch shows Milagro actively investigating the vampire world and its secrets. She's also struggling with her desire to please Oswald and his family. She’s willing to compromise, but at a certain point, her character rebels and she does something outrageous. Her internal conflict is acted out in her relationships with wonderful, kind Oswald and decadent, seductive Ian.

    In all of the books, Milagro claims that she's "normal," but it's clear that she's not normal. It's all part of her desire to belong. In The Bride of Casa Dracula, Milagro finally has to accept her true nature.

    Cass: What do you like most about each of your leading characters?

    Marta: I've tried to make them individuals with their own motivations and complexities. Nobody is just good or bad. They all have justifications for their behavior.

    I like Milagro because she embodies traits that I admire. She gets knocked down, but dusts herself off and gets up again. She snarks, but she's not bitter or hopeless or helpless. She's empathetic to others, which is one reason she's such a sucker for any nutcase or maniac who wanders her way. She's loving, loyal, and affectionate, but she makes mistakes due to inexperience or optimism.

    Edna, the vampire grandmother, is one of my favorite characters. She's something of a femme fatale, quite imperious, but she grows fond of Milagro's good nature and independent attitude. I think she sees something of herself in Milagro. Edna becomes the mother figure that Milagro so desperately needs.

    I know you want me to say something about Ian Ducharme.

    Cass: Guilty as charged. lol.

    Marta: I based Ian and his sister Cornelia on the amoral brother and sister pairs in some of my favorite novels, including Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. These charming, sophisticated siblings show up looking for adventure and fun and then they cause havoc and break hearts before taking off. Ian is the sort of man who always controls a situation, but Milagro isn't impressed by his money or power. She has an idea of the sort of man she wants to be with – and it’s not Ian – but they have undeniable chemistry.

    Cass: What is a good writing day for you?

    Marta: A good writing day is when I have an idea in the middle of the night that helps me tie everything together in a way that's surprising, yet works. It's when I suddenly think of ways to make dialog funnier, images more interesting, and characters unique, yet believable.

    Cass: Are you a plotter or a pantser? Or something in-between?

    Marta: I started out as a pantster, and I think that's the natural way to start out. Just sit down, write and see where things go. But my editor forced me to be a plotter because she wanted outlines. I discovered that being a plotter works better for me.

    I think of it like this: Plotting is putting down a solid foundation and then building the framework of a house first. Then you work to within that framework to create a structurally sound and harmonious whole. Pantsing may be fine for a small project, but if you're building a house, you might discover that you've got a very fancy bathroom, but the kitchen has collapsed.

    Cass: What's something that your readers may not know about you?

    Marta: My readers probably don't know that I have a really dark sense of humor. I try to only express it to my husband, my best friends, and my dogs, because when I make those jokes in public, people look horrified.

    Cass: Can you tell us a little about what you're working on now?

    Marta: I'm working on a romantic comedy about Nancy, Milagro's best friend from college, who is striking out on her own as an event planner. She leaves her controlling, neglectful husband and hires a gorgeous dream of an assistant. Naturally, things go ridiculously wrong.

    Cass: Do you have a newsletter, blog, or website where fans can read about you and your books?

    Marta: But of course! My website is www.martaacosta.com. My author blog is www.martaacosta.blogspot.com. I also have a paranormal and urban fantasy blog, Vampire Wire, www.vampirewire.blogspot.com.

    I’m on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/people/Marta_Acosta/615530904
    and MySpace, http://www.myspace.com/martaacosta.

    My email and newsletter sign-up are on my website, http://martaacosta.com/contactus/contact.html. I occasionally send out an email with news and contest info. I really enjoy hearing from readers.

    Thanks for having me on Midnight Moon Café. It’s one of my favorite blogs and I’m not just saying that because of your Wednesday Hump Day pictures!


    Contest Time!

    Ms. Acosta is kindly donating an autographed copy of her ENTIRE series to date, Happy Hour At Casa Dracula, Midnight Brunch, and The Bride of Casa Dracula!

    The winner will be drawn at random from among readers leaving a comment on this Midnight Brew post. Contest ends Friday, September 19 at midday, so comment and enter to win now!

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    Thursday Thirteen: Take Two! Favorite Comedies (Movie Edition)

    If laughter is the best medicine, then these movies
    are better than an apple a day!

    This T13 is a Super Thursday (take two)!
    This week's Midnight Brew guest author, Marta Acosta, and I sat down and picked out some of our favorite comedies of all time.




    1. Philadelphia Story. Marta says: a great cast, hilarious antics, romance,
    wonderful characters and terrific dialog.




    2.
    Animal House. Cass says: awesome script, funny supporting cast, and introduc
    es John Belushi, who is hilarious as Bluto. Gets my vote.

















    3.
    Blazing Saddles. Marta says: My favorite Mel Brooks' film. An incredible cast and outrageous
    story.

















    4.
    Airplane! Cass says: Don't call me Shirley! LOL
    The scene with the autopilot and Julie Haggerty

    still cracks me up. And Barbara Billingsly
    speakin' jive is a hoot!


    5.
    Overboard. Marta says: One of the most underrated
    romantic comedies of our time.

    Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn have great chemistry and great fun.
















    6.
    Young Frankenstein. Cass says: My favorite Mel Brooks
    film.
    Who doesn't love mad scientists? Amazing cast, funny script. Oh Sweet Mystery of Life At Last I've Found You! LOL


















    7.
    Marta and Cass both like
    Monty Python's Holy Grail.

    Marta says: This is what happens when brilliant minds decide to twist and
    warp knowledge. Cass says: I just love it for the rabbits and the shrubbery. lol




    8. Fast Times At Ridgemont High.
    Cass says: classic teenage comedy

    but with something extra. A great script from Cameron Crowe.
    A lot of stars got their start in this flick.



















    9. Bridget Jones' Diary.
    Marta says: Renee Zellwigger is adorable as the clumsy, slightly clueless, and affectionate Bridget.



















    10.
    Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
    Cass says: The very first comedy I ever watched as a kid.
    This flick still holds warm affection in my heart.





    11. Groundhog Day. Marta says: Bill Murray is great as
    the jerk who eventually learns not to repeat history.


















    12.
    Wayne's World.
    Marta says: Great comic pairing of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. Party on!


















    13.
    La Chévre.
    Cass says: Yeah, I know it's subtitled.
    Yeah, I know it's also French. But it's also damn funny. Honestly.
    Oh and don't rent the Americanized version of this. It sucked giant reptile eggs.
    Really.







    What are some of your favorite comedies?



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    Wednesday, September 17, 2008

    Hump Day Hunk



    Oh! Look what washed off to the shore... We decided to keep him, but first we had to get him all clean up before we allowed him inside the Café. Anyone ready with scrubs and soap?

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    Book Release Party Winner: Prize Patrol 1

    The winner of Prize patrol#1 and a set of cool seashell candles is...

    CORY!

    Congratulations, Cory!

    Please email me at midnightmooncafe@gmail.com with your mailing address so I can send your prize!


    Don't forget to enter my other Song of The Sea contests! My song suggestion contest is still open to enter!
    (ends Friday at midnight, 9/19/08)

    Cass

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    Tuesday, September 16, 2008

    At The Next Midnight Brew...

    Marta Acosta will be our guest at the next Midnight Brew, this Thursday, September 18. The author of the bestselling and wildly popular Casa Dracula series will chat about the humor in her stories and tell us a little about her latest book in the series, Bride of Casa Dracula.

    Blurb: Milagro De Los Santos is having serious problems planning her wedding to fabulous Oswald Grant, M.D. Her future in-laws loathe her, her dog just died, and Oswald's family has a genetic anomaly that makes them crave blood. Then her extravagant best friend hijacks the role of wedding coordinator, and the secretive Vampire Council assigns conniving Cornelia Ducharme to guide the couple through the ancient vampire marriage rituals.

    To top it all off, Milagro's career is on the skids. She's reduced to ghost-writing the memoirs of a loony little man who claims to be a shapeshifter. And why does Cornelia's decadent, way too attractive brother, Ian, always show up whenever Milagro is away from Oswald? When a series of accidents interferes with wedding plans, Oswald worries that Milagro is cracking under the pressure. Is she just paranoid, or is a hidden enemy trying to make sure Milagro doesn't wed the undead?

    As always there will be a contest and one lucky winner will walk away with an autographed copy of Ms. Acosta's entire series, Happy Hour At Casa Dracula, Midnight Brunch, and The Bride of Casa Dracula!

    So join us, Thursday, September 18 here at the Café for a fun paranormal Midnight Brew!

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    Monday, September 15, 2008

    Song of The Sea Party Continues...

    Mondays are usually a real bummer, but today we are still partying! Join me as I celebrate the release of my latest book, Shifting Tides: Song of The Sea.

    and I'm blogging over at MMC friend Larissa Ione's group author blog today (http://www.writemindedblog.com/).

    The wet bar is still open, and you can feel the sea magick in the air. So, kick off your shoes, wiggle your toes, and get up and dance! Hee, hee...


    The Magic of Song...

    In my latest ebook, Song of The Sea, Vivilyn Ondine is one frustrated mermaid due to her family's rules. As a sea siren and a royal mermaid princess, she wields powerful sea magick through her siren song. Yet all she wants, more than anything in the world, is to sing to an audience and be part of a band. When she escapes the trap of an arranged marriage, she hits the road to freedom and to adventure.

    Magick weaves through her voice and is embedded within the song's lyrics and melody. Depending on what song comes to her mind, anything can happen and does! The magick interprets each word and note differently.


    Can you think of some songs that might be funny or sexy if our sea siren princess sang them? What do you think would happen when she sings that particular song?


    Email your song suggestion and a guess of what might happen when Viv sings your song, to: midnightmooncafe@gmail.com, and I'll pick one song to be included in book three, Shifting Tides: Soul of The Sea!

    The winner will get a copy of books one and two in my Shifting Tides trilogy, Beneath A Midnight Sea and Song of The Sea! Contest ends Friday (Sept. 19th) at midnight!

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    Sunday, September 14, 2008

    Song of the Sea Book Release Party!

    Song of the Sea
    by Cassandra Curtis

    Woo-hoo! Song of the Sea, book two in my Shifting Tides trilogy, is finally out! Readers of Beneath A Midnight Sea will be happy to know that some of your favorite characters are back with cameo roles in book two.

    In book one, readers learned of a mermaid princess who was missing. In Song of the Sea, I tell her story.


    Sequel to Amber Heat best-seller Shifting Tides: Beneath A Midnight Sea...

    When a mafia don's bride-to-be goes missing, Peter Varien is hired to find her. Varien, an ex-cop turned private eye, takes the job despite the warning bells going off in his head.

    He manages to track down the missing woman to a nightclub in Memphis, where she's belting out jazzy torch songs with the boys in the band.

    She's every man's desire, with a body born of sin and a voice that enthralls, putting men under a sexual spell.

    But it's a spell under which Peter is determined not to fall.

    Vivilyn Ondine is having the time of her life, given the power over human men through the control she wields as a sea siren. She's never fallen in love, never truly surrendered–until she meets the handsome private investigator.

    Soon, Peter and Vivilyn are in a race against time, and must join forces to defeat a dangerous enemy who will stop at nothing, even murder, to capture Viv and force her to reveal the location of the magical pearl known as the Soul of The Sea.


    Want to read an excerpt?

    Warning Adult Content! (Must be over 18 to read! If you are not over 18, please skip)

    ...He slid a finger down her fabric-covered arm. “Silk. Looks good on you.”

    “Thank you.” She put the coffeepot under the automatic drip and sat on the bed, patting the spot next to her. “I saved you a place,” she said, grinning.

    “I see that.” His thigh muscles bunched as he knelt on the bed.

    “You seem distracted—or nervous. I don’t make you nervous, do I?’

    “Maybe I’m anxious.”

    “Well, I hate to keep a man waiting…” Her hand brushed his bicep and shoulder, then pushed him onto his back. She straddled his hips, unbuttoned his shirt, and pulled it from him in a single, elegant motion. She flung it on the sofa, then started on his belt and zipper.

    He watched her greedy hands make quick work of his clothes. She looked her fill, moistened her lips with that pretty pink tongue, and he imagined all the other things that sexy tongue of hers could do, places it could roam, and fought to stifle a groan.

    Her nails teased his flat nipples, tormenting them into tight peaks. A sorceress bent on his surrender, she traced a path down his tight abdomen. When her small fist encircled his ridged cock, he broke out in a sweat, fighting the pleasure, prolonging the agony. What kind of game was she playing?

    “I’m going to make you feel so good, Peter.” She scooted down, trapping his thighs tight between her own. Her strength surprised him. She cupped his balls with her other hand, teased him with her nails again until he thought he’d explode.

    “Ahh…God, Viv.”

    He leaned up on his elbows, watched her trail a path of liquid fire from the base of his shaft to the crowned head with her flicking tongue. The air in his lungs burned as he arched his hips. She lifted her head a little and began to hum against his swollen cock.

    The melody pulled at his senses. Strange, almost alien thoughts spun through his brain. He belonged to her…she was his goddess to adore. And he could not lie to her. Must tell her everything…anything she wanted. Part of him wanted to give in to the seductive song, to submit and allow her complete control. But he knew if he lost himself now, he’d never find the way back. The vibration of her song against his turgid flesh changed, became more demanding, her fingers so soft, yet tight.

    No! He fought the raging need to obey the strange, drug-like effect. His dick pulsed—wanted so bad to come against those tormenting lips. She nipped the thick vein on the underside of his cock, and then laved it with her tongue to intensify the pleasure-pain. He gritted his teeth, and pushed her away. Unbalanced, she tipped sideways, her eyes wide with shock. Had every man she met groveled at her feet? About time then for her to experience something new.

    He knelt on the bed, changed from supplicant to dominant, and untied her silk robe. It slithered off her shoulders. He scooped her into his arms and deposited her closer to the headboard.

    God, she looked so adorable and sexy, that stunned, near comical look still on her face. He grabbed the silk tie, cinched it around her wrists, and tied them to the slats of the headboard. Then, he leaned back on his heels, knees bent, his eyes devouring the feast set before him.

    “If I’m going to die for my sins, then we’re doing this my way. I want you under me. I’m going to take you slow and hard and deep...”


    Did I mention my heroine is a bit naughty? LOL. But it sounds as though Peter had things well in hand... :D


    Swim Up to The Bar and Have A Drink!




    Steel Pulse - Your House

    Prize Patrol #1

    All drinks are on the Café. Leave a comment with your order and you'll be entered for a drawing. The prize is a nifty set of seashell candles.

    If you go to my website's blog, you'll note I'm having a limbo contest, and giving away a special prize to the winner. Check it out! I will also be stopping by my publisher's author blog and giving some love. :wink:

    The party continues through Monday morning, and I plan to brighten someone's day, so remember to come by Monday a.m. for more fun! Contests officially end Tuesday a.m. and I'll announce the winners then, here and at my personal blog. Enjoy!

    And to all my friends in Jamaica and other ports of call:
    Irie!

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    Saturday, September 13, 2008

    Weekend Flirt: How to Make Men's Homemade Sex Toys


    Sometimes a man tends to get frustrated with pent-up sexual energy. If traditional releases are not available, and if you're adventurous, try one of the following homemade men's sex toys.

    Soapy Friend

    Step1 - Measure the circumference of penis. It may be easier to trace around the shaft directly on the bar of soap. Try to center the circle in the middle of the soap.

    Step2 - Determine the correct drill bit size by holding the drill bit against the circle traced onto the soap. The bit needs to be the same size as the traced circle or just a little bit smaller.

    Step3 - Drill a hole through the bar of soap. Try to keep the hole a consistent size.

    Step4 - Moisten fingers will a small amount of water. Slightly rub the edges of the hole to remove sharp edges.

    Step5 - Run water over the bar of soap, insert your penis in the hole and massage in an up/down fashion. If soap seems to stick, apply more water for smoother gliding.

    Melon Love

    Step1 - Purchase a ripe melon. Once in the privacy of your house, use the marker to trace the circumference of the penis onto the side of the melon.

    Step2 - Use the knife to cut a the circle out of the melon. Make sure to go all the way though the melon skin and meat.

    Step3 - Smooth the hole with the knife blade.

    Step4 - Microwave the melon for 30 seconds. (This step is for the most realistic feel once inside the melon.)

    Step5 - Apply lubricant, insert your penis in the hole and massage in an up/down fashion.

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    Friday, September 12, 2008

    Friday Finds

    Insatiable Desire
    by Rita Herron

    Blurb: Plagued by graphic visions and the desperate cries of murder victims, psychic Clarissa King will do anything to stop the brutal killer targeting her hometown--even work alongside the dangerously sexy FBI agent who thinks she's a fraud. He's the one man who sparks a hunger she never imagined possible--and the one man she should fear...

    Vincent Valtrez knows how to get inside a serial killer's mind. But with a dangerous past and a secret to keep, he wants nothing to do with this gorgeous psychic--especially since just the thought of her luscious body ignites a dark, irrepressible desire he's determined to keep at bay. When the killer they seek turns out to be demonic and otherworldly, Vincent learns his connection to the murderer is more than just hunter and prey. Will the darkness inside Vincent claim him...or will he save Clarissa--and himself--from the evil that threatens them both?

    Before I Wake: The Nightmare Chronicles
    by Kathryn Smith

    Blurb: You may call it a dream job . . .

    And in some ways, you'd be right. I actually get paid to study people's dreams. It comes much easier than my employers at the Sleep Center suspect; after all, I, Dawn, am the daughter of the king of the dream world, and I can roam the dreams of others, battling the nightmares that plague them.

    I call it a nightmare . . .

    Honestly, I could use a good night's sleep. But ever since I met Noah Clarke, I'm even more torn between the two worlds: smart, sexy, and able to control his own dreams, Noah could be my perfect man—except he's being stalked in his sleep by an unearthly evil, hell-bent on destroying him . . . and the entire world.

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    Mark Your Calendars, It's Party Time!

    Everybody, mark your calendars and stop by The Midnight Moon Café this coming Sunday and Monday (September 14th & 15th), as I kick it into high gear and celebrate the release of my latest ebook, Shifting Tides: Song of The Sea! Woot!

    Blurb: Sequel to Amber Heat best-seller Shifting Tides: Beneath A Midnight Sea...

    When a mafia don's bride-to-be goes missing, Peter Varien is hired to find her. Varien, an ex-cop turned private eye, takes the job despite the warning bells going off in his head.

    He manages to track down the missing woman to a nightclub in Memphis, where she's belting out jazzy torch songs with the boys in the band. She's every man's desire, with a body born of sin and a voice that enthralls, putting men under a sexual spell.

    But it's a spell under which Peter is determined not to fall.

    Vivilyn Ondine is having the time of her life, given the power over human men through the control she wields as a sea siren. She's never fallen in love, never truly surrendered–until she meets the handsome private investigator.

    Soon, Peter and Vivilyn are in a race against time, and must join forces to defeat a dangerous enemy who will stop at nothing, even murder, to capture Viv and force her to reveal the location of the magical pearl known as the Soul of The Sea.


    There will be a bar and a hunky bartender to take your drink orders, plus a live calypso band, steamy excerpts from the book, and a few nifty prizes here at the blog, as well as at my website's blog.

    Hope to see you there!

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    Thursday, September 11, 2008

    In Remembrance


    Blessed be all those who have fallen into shadow.
    Let the light shine and guide them and their families,
    send healing energy, with love and peace on this day, and forever.

    Tempest, Cora, and Cassandra
    The Midnight Moon Cafe

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    Hump Day Hunk Contest Winner

    Thank you all for participating! OMG... Chicas, you do know some wild imagination. Then again, a merman like that can be...er...quite inspiring. Now, I put all your names in the magickal hat and the sexy merman pick a name. The winner of the book thong is...

    Virginia Lady

    Congrats! Send us an email with your name and address. Remember to include "Book Thong Winner" in the subject. *g*
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    Wednesday, September 10, 2008

    Hump Day Hunk



    Hey chicas! Check out this gorgeous merman Cassandra found while walking down the Caribbean shores. We had to keep him wet, so Cora put him in our private shower. *wg*

    He only speaks Mermish; however, there's only one thing he knows how to say in English. Can you guess what is it? Try to guess and you will receive a beautiful book thong. *g*

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    Tuesday, September 09, 2008

    Magickally Clean Tuesday!

    Today is clean up day at the MMC, so grab a mop, a rag, or a feather duster, and I'll share with you some of my favorite kitchen witch recipes for making your home "green-friendly" and clean!

    Why buy window cleaner when you can make it with all natural ingredients? It's easier than snapping your fingers and saying Abracadabra!


    Cass' Magic Window Clean Spray

    Ingredients:

    1 cup white vinegar
    1 cup distilled water
    5 drops of blue food coloring (optional)

    Pour ingredients into a 16 oz. trigger spray bottle and shake to mix well. Remember to label. Add blue food coloring to make it pretty and no one will ever suspect you didn't buy it at the store! :wink:


    Magick Carpet Ride Powder

    Ingredients:

    2 boxes baking soda
    1 empty and cleaned potato chip cannister
    hand-held hole punch
    15-20 drops essential oils

    Next time you get the munchies, empty out a potato chip cannister and clean it well.
    Take a hole punch and punch out five or six holes in the plastic lid.
    Pour baking soda into a glass mixing bowl and break up any clumps with a spoon.
    Depending on your preferred scent, mix essential oils and drop into bowl, mixing well with spoon so that baking soda takes on the scent of the oils.

    Pour into cannister and replace plastic lid (with the holes on top). Sprinkle onto carpet and let set for a few minutes, then vacuum for a sweet and clean smelling, fresh carpet.

    Cass' favorite essential oil blend for carpet sprinkle:

    10 drops lavender essential oil
    3 drops lemon verbena or lemon balm
    3 drops lime oil


    No Dust Bunny Furniture Polish

    Ingredients:

    1/3 cup olive oil
    1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
    30 drops lemon essential oil
    1/2 cup distilled water

    Pour ingredients into a refillable bottle with a spray trigger and shake to mix well. Spray on furniture and wipe with soft cloth.


    Moonmaid Countertop Disinfectant

    Ingredients:

    1 cup distilled white vinegar
    1 cup water
    30 drops tea tree oil
    5 drops peppermint essential oil
    5 drops lavender essential oil

    Mix ingredients and pour into empty spray bottle. Shake well and spray on counter tops, faucets, and cabinets to disinfect and freshen.


    What? You're tired? LOL. Well, then I guess you've earned a treat.
    Leave a comment and I'll sent the first three commentors a lavender sachet.

    ::looks around::

    Ahh, a kitchen witch's job is never done.

    ::Grabs broom::






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    Monday, September 08, 2008

    Magical Lavender

    47 - papillon 2 - butterfly on lavendar

    Lavender has been used for mystical purposes uses throughout history. The plant originated in the Mediterranean mountains and was brought to England by the Romans for a multitude of reasons. It's valuable as a healing herb, not only because the entire plant leaves, flowers, and seeds can be used, but also because it's one of the few essential oils that can be used on the skin undiluted. **

    It's the sacred scent of the Celtic month of the Willow Moon (April 15 - May 13), and it's believed that picking lavender under the full moon enhances its magical powers.

    Sprigs of lavender were worn by medieval monks to banish evil spirits. And it is said that the Romans burned lavender over hot coals to surround a new mother and child with the scent of compassion. The ancient Greeks dedicated lavender to Hecate, their goddess of witches, sorcerers and enchantments.

    The active ingredients in lavender oil contribute to its legendary healing status. It contains Linalol alcohol, which helps kill bacteria and viruses. Esters, which are compounds that ease swelling and soreness, also act as mood enhancers. Ketones, which have a sleep inducing effect, and are compounds that help to relieve pain and reduce inflamation.

    **Because ketones can be toxic, blends of lavender oil with ketones above 35 percent should be avoided. Diabetics, epileptics, and pregnant women should avoid them completely.

    For simple uses of lavender around the home, you can sew a sachet of lavender into your bed pillows for a restful night sleep. Or add a few drops of lavender oil to your bath water for a relaxing soak.

    Lavender scented candles are perfect to help enhance your mood after a stressful day. Or if you prefer to use oils, add three drops to a vaporizor or oil potpourri burner, to gently fragrance your home.


    ~source: Natural Healing, Aromatherapy Course

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    Sunday, September 07, 2008

    Sunday Pop Quiz - What Font Are You?




    You Are Palatino



    You consider yourself to be creative and artistic.

    And you'd like everyone else to know it!



    You take design and aesthetics seriously.

    You like everything in your life to be unique and beautiful - but never gaudy!

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    Saturday, September 06, 2008

    Weekend Pop Quiz

    Mmm...chocolate... Oh, wait. What?

    Sorry, y'all. I got distracted by yummy goodness. Are you a chocolate fan? Why not take this pop quiz and find out what kind of chocolate fits your personality best?





    You are Milk Chocolate



    A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds.

    You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life.

    Also nostalgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago.


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    Friday, September 05, 2008

    Friday Finds

    If you're looking for some hot reads, check these out these stories with the most wicked heroes you've ever met and prepare yourself to have some mental orgasms. *winks*

    Tempt Me with Darkness
    by Shayla Black

    Blurb: He's an immortal knight hungering for satisfaction....

    As soon as Marrok sees Olivia Gray's dark windswept hair and burning violet eyes, he's sure they've met in eons past. He's felt her soft gentle curves writhing in pleasure beneath his own hard powerful body...Morganna! For centuries, towering Marrok, once the mightiest of King Arthur's warriors, has endured a terrible curse cast upon him when he spurned the witch.

    She's a modern woman about to discover ancient magic....

    Olivia shares a mystical -- and irresistible -- connection with brooding Marrok. Soon after the sexy warrior appears in her erotic dreams, he abducts her, demanding she uncurse him. Their intense passion is more powerful -- and intimate -- than either of them has ever known. Olivia may be the key to unlocking the diary that will break Morganna's hold on his life. But in the wrong hands, the book also holds the power to destroy all magickind. As they search for answers, a ruthless wizard returned from exile is building an army of evil. When he discovers Marrok and Olivia have the diary, only their love -- with the help of a powerful group of magical Brethren -- can save them.

    Bloodfever (Fever Series #2) - now in paperback
    by Karen Marie Moning

    Blurb: I used to think my sister and I were just two nice southern girls who'd get married in a few years and settle down to a quiet life. Then I discovered that Alina and I descend, not from good wholesome southern stock, but from an ancient Celtic bloodline of powerful sidhe-seers, people who can see the Fae. Not only can I see the terrifying otherworldly race, but I can sense the sacred Fae relics that hold the deadliest of their magic.

    When my sister was found dead in a trash-filled alley in Dublin, I came over to get answers. Now all I want is revenge. And after everything I've learned about myself, I know I have the power to get it....

    MacKayla Lane's ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland's shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets.

    In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh-a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V'lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.

    For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them....

    Dark Rapture (reprint)
    by Michele Hauf

    Blurb: Pleasure Beyond Limits.

    When Sebastian DelaCourte first glimpses Scarlet Rose, his desire for her is eclipsed only by the shock of recognition. Sebastian believes in love at first sight-he experienced it before, centuries ago, for a beautiful vampire who disappeared without a trace and left him cursed with an unending thirst. Now a wildly successful musician with legions of adoring fans, Sebastian can have any woman he chooses, but it is Scarlet's lifeblood that calls to him. She is his mate and his destiny.if she will only surrender to his kiss.

    Danger Beyond Imagining.

    Drawn to Sebastian by a compelling, mysterious need, Scarlet succumbs to her darkest desires, following him into a midnight realm of ecstasy. But when a twist of fate sweeps her back in time, Scarlet is confronted with dangerous secrets, an enemy consumed by revenge, and a desperate choice-to curse Sebastian to a vampire's unholy fate, or spend eternity without him.

    When Twilight Burns: The Gardella Vampire Chronicles
    by Colleen Gleason

    Blurb: After narrowly escaping Rome with her mortality, vampire hunter Lady Victoria Gardella Grantworth de Lacey returns to London—where not even sunrise can stop a vampire's carnage. Not only is Victoria unable to detect the vampire with her heightened senses, but she's being framed as the prime suspect behind the killings.

    Meanwhile, the legacy of a vampire's touch has left his blood boiling in her veins and forces her to fight evil on two fronts—against the new breed of undead threatening London and the darkness within herself...

    Dark Embrace (Masters of Time Series #3)
    by Brenda Joyce

    Aidan, the Wolf of Awe, has abandoned the Brotherhood and forsaken his vows. Feared by all and trusted by none, he hunts alone, seeking vengeance against the evil that destroyed his son. He has not saved an Innocent in sixty-six years—until he hears Brianna Rose's scream of terror across centuries, and leaps to modern-day Manhattan to rescue her.…

    Brie is a gifted empath who spends her time fighting evil from the safety of her laptop—and fantasizing about the medieval Highlander she met just once. Still, her life is pretty ordinary—until she awakens one night consumed with Aidan's pain and rage. When Aidan suddenly appears and takes her hostage, Brie cannot believe how dark and dangerous he has become. She knows she should be afraid, but instead, she will fight across time for his redemption…and his love.

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    Winner of "Nightkeeper"

    The lucky chica to take home a copy of Ms. Jessica Andersen's newest story in The Novels of the Final Prophecy series, Nightkeepers, is...

    LadyVampire2u

    Congratulations, chica! *throws confetti* Send us an email with your name and address to midnightmooncafe@gmail.com. Write "Nightkeepers Winner" in the subject.
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    Thursday, September 04, 2008

    Midnight Brew presents Jessica Andersen

    Born and raised in eastern Massachusetts, today's guest graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Biology and a PhD in Genetics. During grad school and for a year after, she worked at the New England Eye Center, helping search for the genetic changes responsible for certain types of glaucoma. Although she liked her job, the writing aspect of science suited her far better than the labwork. After her graduation, a year later, she left the lab and spent the next freelancing as a scientific editor and riding instructor while she worked on getting my writing career off the ground.

    In October of ’03, her first Harlequin Intrigue, Dr. Bodyguard, was an RT Top Pick and kicked off a long string of largely science-themed romantic intrigues that have hit the category bestseller lists and been nominated for Reviewers’ Choice and RITA awards.

    She loves learning about new things and rediscovering old interests. The Maya have always been a particular interest of hers, and she'd been to most of the major Yucatan sites as a kid - the pyramid at Chichen Itza made a huge impression on her. And the more she looked into the 2012 doomsday prophecy, the more the Nightkeepers’ story started clicking in her brain.

    The Midnight Moon Café has the pleasure to introduce you this new voice in paranormal romances, Jessica Andersen.

    MMC: Welcome to the Midnight Moon Café, Jessica. When did you first become interested in writing paranormal romances?

    Jessica: Hi, and thanks so much for inviting me! Hmm… although I’m a fantasy/sci-fi reader from way back, I had been writing mostly romantic suspense prior to this. In reality, I’d say it’s less that I set out to write a paranormal romance, and more that the story found me and demanded that I write it, when one my long-held interest in Mayan mythology intersected with the sort of big, sweeping, end-of-the-world stakes that I love in my books and movies, along with a dash of sex and romance.

    Here’s how it happened: One of my most vivid early memories is being on a family vacation and climbing up inside the big pyramid at Chichen Itza to see the jaguar throne. People were packed nose-to-butt, crouched down in the narrow stairway, with everyone on the right side going up and the ones on the left coming down. It was dark and cold, the stones were slippery, and I’m claustrophobic. But dude, seeing the jaguar up close and thinking about the people who’d carved and worshipped it… that’s something I’ll never forget.

    Years later, I was working on a suspense proposal that involved poisonous snakes, and had a total “ooh, shiny!” moment when I pulled up a website on Mayan serpent rituals. From there, I found a reference to how the Mayan Long Count calendar is going to end on December 21, 2012, coinciding with an astrological event that scientists think could trigger sunspots and magnetic reversals, and maybe even knock the earth off its orbit. And I sat there thinking: Holy crap, this is it. This is what I have to write about.


    MMC: What do you enjoy about being a writer?

    Jessica: I love the process of getting the story out of my head and onto the page. Sure, sometimes it’s like pulling teeth, but other times it simply flows. I particularly love the little shiver I get when the little details start lining up into another layer of significance within the story- one I hadn’t planned, but that had fermented in my subconscious and snuck onto the page when I wasn’t looking.

    MMC: What is your writing schedule like?

    Jessica: I’m generally up around 6 a.m., surf the web for a half hour or so over my first cup of tea, and then get to work. If I’m at the beginning of a story, I’ll write on my main computer and answer email as it comes in, poke around a bit more on the web as I need details to flesh out the bones of the plot, etc. If I’m deeper into a story (i.e. a deadline is on the horizon), I’ll use a laptop that’s not connected to the internet in order to avoid distraction.

    I eat lunch at the computer and work until I hit the ‘afternoon groggy stage’, at which point I head outside to do chores (we have a small working farm). I’ll usually be on the computer another couple of hours in the evening, answering fan mail, doing guest blogs, promos, etc.

    That’s on a productive day. On a less productive day, I do lots of mindless stuff (mowing, weed whacking, mucking, etc.) while trying to figure out what’s not working in the story. For me, writer’s block is typically my subconscious saying ‘Warning! You’ve just gone off the rails! Back up! Don’t keep writing until you figure it out!’

    MMC: Let's talk a little about world-building in the The Novels of the Final Prophecy series. How did you come up with your backstory for this series? And how does that setting affect your main characters?

    Jessica: After finding the reference to the 12/21/2012 doomsday that inspired the series, it took me more than two years of in-depth research, worldbuilding, writing and re-writing before I had a story that not only had the cool 2012 doomsday concept going for it, but also had compelling characters, an intricate plot and a romance strong enough to pull off the concept. When all was said and done I ended up with was a very intricate, complex world in which ancient Mayan mythology is brought forward and examined through our modern experiences.

    The hero, Strike, has that ‘stranger in a strange land’ thing going on- he was raised knowing he’s among the last of the Nightkeepers and it’s his job to prevent the 2012 doomsday. . . but he’s also a normal guy in many respects, because all the signs suggest that the barrier between the earth and underworld has been sealed, the apocalypse averted by the actions of the previous generation of Nightkeepers.

    However, when Detective Leah Daniels spins into his orbit, the apocalypse countdown reawakens, and Strike is reunited with a fighting force he didn’t know existed, he has to alpha-up real quick. With a good chunk of the Nightkeepers’ magic based on sexual intimacy, and the gods demanding Leah as a human sacrifice, Strike winds up having to choose between his lover and his duty as a warrior-king. . . or seeing if he and Leah can find a way around a three-thousand-year-old prophecy.

    MMC: Nightkeepers, which came out in June, is the first book in the series, so tell us a bit about it.

    Jessica: Gladly! Here’s the blurb:
    The ancient Mayan Long Count calendar ends on December 21, 2012. On that day, the sun, moon and earth will align at the galactic center, in a conjunction that some scientists predict could trigger cataclysmic upheavals (sun spots, magnetic reversals, etc.). The NOVELS OF THE FINAL PROPHECY tell of the ancient Mayan myths that come to life in the last four years before 12/21/2012, and their opposition by the Nightkeepers, descendants of an ancient magic-wielding race sworn to protect mankind from the apocalypse.

    In Nightkeepers, the last king of the magi is forced to team up with a Miami-Dade narcotics detective in order to reunite his scattered warriors and fight the gods of the Mayan underworld. Wielding ancestral magic based on bloodletting and sex, the king will have to choose between his duty and his love for the human woman who is the gods' destined sacrifice.

    MMC: Since the story deals with Mayan mythology, what sort of research did you do to bring this story to life so wonderfully?

    Jessica: My formal training as a researcher definitely helped me track down the information I needed and wanted when I was working on Nightkeepers. I keep both hard copy and spreadsheet information files, and have a bookcase stuffed full of references, all of which are cited on my website. I love the history and the science of the Nightkeepers’ world, so the research has become as much a hobby as a job. That’s the good news. The bad news is that as I write, I keep wanting to include all the cool details I’ve learned about. . . and usually wind up with a 700-plus page manuscript. Thus, as I’m cutting down the story, I keep in mind one of my mottos as a scientific editor: This is an interesting detail, but how does it specifically relate to the matter at hand?

    MMC: What do you enjoy most about writing this book?

    Jessica: I love being able to write exactly the sort of books I love to read, and can’t always find on the shelves. These stories are big and romantic, sweeping and sexy, loud and action-packed, with end of the world stakes and strong characters, each with their own agenda. I love living the stories as I’m writing them, and then sharing and discussing them with readers.

    MMC: What challenges have you faced in the process of writing this book?

    Jessica: Nightkeepers was a huge challenge to write because I needed to introduce a world and a group of characters, and kick off the larger story arc, yet at the same time I had to make the story be about Strike and Leah’s lives coming together, and the two of them falling in love. It was especially difficult, I think, because most people aren’t all that familiar with Mayan mythology, so I had to explain a great deal as I went along, while making sure that the focus of the story stayed on the action and romance. That’s not an easy balance to find!

    MMC: What do you think is the key to writing a truly memorable story?

    Jessica: One of the members of the Skywatch Forum (my bulletin board, see www.JessicaAndersen.com under ‘Community’) said it well the other day. She said (and I’m paraphrasing here) that a great story transcends its genre by being about more than the genre itself, and reaching deeper into human truths. In the case of a paranormal, I think a great story isn’t about vamps or werewolves… it’s about people, their struggles, and the ways we can relate them to our own lives. Nightkeepers isn’t just about Maya gods and demons and a bunch of prophecies surrounding the end of the world: It’s about a cop trying to come to terms with her culpability in her brother’s death, and a leader who struggles with questions of duty versus desire.

    MMC: How about future releases, can you give us a preview?

    Jessica: Dawnkeepers, which comes out on January 6, 2009, is the story of Nate Blackhawk and Alexis Gray. They might seem well matched on the surface- they’re both ambitious and successful, with a clear sense of purpose. . . but that’s what gets them into trouble, because they’ve got some majorly crossed purposes and bad history (some of it theirs, some of it not). When they’re sent to track down a group of lost Mayan artifacts that contain vital spells, they quickly realize they’re not the only ones on the hunt. . . and they’re going to have to learn to work together (very, very closely) in order to survive.

    MMC: Let's say you've just landed a movie deal, and you get to pick the actor who'll play Jaguar Strike from Nightkeepers. Who would you pick and why?

    Jessica: I think I’ll leave this question alone, because I want each reader to be able to visualize him the way she (or he) wants to. Also, I’m leaving it alone because the person I think of as personifying Strike best wouldn’t work in the role because the Nightkeepers are overall much larger than average humans, and this particular actor is not.

    MMC: Now to the fun questions. What's something that your readers may not know about you?

    Jessica: Hmm…. I was briefly involved with Civil War reenactments, playing a camp follower of a Confederate cavalry unit.

    MMC: What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

    Jessica: Channel surfing and watching the last fifteen minutes of any chick flick available.

    MMC: When not writing, how do you relax?

    Jessica: These days, it’s a special treat when I’m able to read a book for pleasure. I also ride and show horses; that takes up most of my down-time as a writer.

    MMC: Do you have any obsessions? Collections?

    Jessica: I’m not much of a collector, though I probably have more cats than the average person. In my own defense, they’re all former ferals rescued from bad situations by a local rescue group; I offer them a spot in the barn and a job catching mice, and work on gentling them to the point that they could become pets in the future.

    MMC: Do you have a newsletter, blog, or website where fans can read about you and your books?

    Jessica: Please visit www.JessicaAndersen.com for more info on the books and the Nightkeepers world, and www.JessicaAndersen.com/community/ to visit the bulletin board for the latest info and discussions on Nightkeepers, LOLs, movies, and pretty much anything else we feel like chatting about. Finally, to subscribe to my newsletter, please send an email to NightkeeperNews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

    Thanks for inviting me to the Midnight Moon Café!

    ----

    Contest Time!

    Don't these shapeshifters sound simply dreamy? Well, now you can take one home. Well, the book at least. *wg* Ms. Andersen will be giving away a copy of Nightkeepers today! To win, all you have to do is leave a comment or question here. *g* This contest ends tomorrow at mid-day so hurry!

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    Thursday Thirteen

    13 New Releases I Can't Wait
    to Buy in September

    1. Dark Embrace (Masters of Time Series #3) by Brenda Joyce



    2. Insatiable Desire by Rita Herron



    3. Dark Hunger by Sara Reinke



    4. Faefever (Fever Series #3) by Karen Marie Moning



    5. Noah (Nightwalkers Series #5) by Jacquelyn Frank



    6. The Night Serpent by Anna Leonard



    7. Bride of Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta



    8. One Bite With A Stranger by Christine Warren



    9. Heart Fate by Robin D. Owens



    10. Mercury's War by Lora Leigh



    11. Dark Curse (Dark Series #17) by Christine Feehan



    12. Rogue Hunter by Lynsay Sands



    13. Hunter's Prayer (Jill Kismet Series #2) by Lilith Saintcrow



    Extra ones:

    Deadly Redemption by Kathleen Korbel



    Matters of the Blood by Maria Lima



    Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh



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    Wednesday, September 03, 2008

    Hot Paranormals To Go

    Portable and paranormal, these audiobooks are perfect for taking on trips in the car, or when you don't have a moment to crack a book. Check out these hot titles from Dorchester.



    Immortals: The Calling, by Jennifer Ashley


    He bursts into the battle, his leather jacket billowing and his huge silver sword flashing. Amber has no idea why this windswept warrior would rescue her, but there he is... fighting the same demon who’d killed her sister. Though he is a stranger, she immediately senses he’s come to protect her. And with the first touch of his lips on hers, she knows he is bound to her, his body meant for her. Yet the shadow of evil is spreading quickly, and more death will follow unless they can discover the secrets of…The Calling.



    Dark Light, by Jayne Castle


    Everything is different underground. Just ask the residents of Harmony, a futuristic world where alien catacombs can lead you astray –- and where psychic senses spark out-of-this-world passion... Reporter Sierra McIntyre's stories on Crystal City's ghost hunters –- and their mysterious guild –- have earned her tabloid a bit of respect. And they've allowed her to clothe her dust-bunny companion, Elvis, in rock-and-roll style. It helps that she has mega-rez intuition to fall back on... Especially when she interviews Ghost Hunter Guild boss John Fontana about the disappearances of retired, homeless hunters. She doesn't want to trust the physically and psychically powerful man, but her senses –- and Elvis –- give her the green light. To uncover the conspiracy within his own organization, Fontana proposes...marriage. And though it's purely a business arrangement, there's nothing pure about the attraction that sizzles between them...



    Through a Crimson Veil, by Patti O'Shea


    Los Angeles. Once, it was the City of Angels. Now, it’s Crimson City, whose inhabitants know nothing of Heaven. The tentative peace between the species—werewolf, vampire, human—teeters on the brink of collapse. Yet the peril is greater than any imagine. There is a power here that longs for release. Below, beneath, beyond, it seethes. And there are those who would see it freed.

    Mika herself seeks freedom. She’s come to Crimson City looking for the key. But that key’s keeper is a killer, an outsider, a mercenary with a poisoned past. To her kind, he has meant only death. No matter that Conor McCabe’s pale green eyes hold a hint of lust, the glint of a bond never to be broken; the path ahead lies in shadow. And the moment of truth must come…THROUGH A CRIMSON VEIL.



    Dark Curse, by Christine Feehan

    Lara Calladine is haunted by childhood memories of being held prisoner in an ice cave and kept sane by the whispered stories told to her by her imprisoned aunts. They instilled mage and Carpathian magic deep within her and then helped her escape. She has spent years searching for the cave in hopes of finding the answers to the riddle of her past as well as finding her aunts who may have given their lives saving her. Nicolas De La Cruz has returned to the Carpathian Mountains--his homeland--on orders from his eldest brother, Zacarias, to bring news of a conspiracy to the prince of their people. He is weary of his long existence and plans to end it away from his brothers where they will be unable to stop him once he has fulfilled his duty. Lara and Nicolas' paths collide in an explosive adventure that rocks the Carpathian world.



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    Tuesday, September 02, 2008

    Old Magic and Mayan Prophesies in our next Midnight Brew!

    This coming Midnight Brew will have the pleasure to chat with paranormal author Jessica Andersen, who will talk about her sexy paranormal series, The Novels of the Final Prophecy, and the first book of this exciting serie, Nightkeepers.

    The Novels of the Final Prophecy: Nightkeepers

    Blurb: According to the Mayan doomsday prophecy, time ends on December 21, 2012. In Nightkeepers, the last king of an ancient race of magi must team up with a sexy Miami-Dade narcotics detective in order to reunite his scattered warriors and fight the gods of the Mayan underworld. Wielding ancestral blood magic, the king must choose between his duty to avert the 2012 apocalypse and his love for the woman who is the gods' destined sacrifice.

    As a Miami narcotics detective, Leah Daniels never knows how her day will turn out. But she certainly never expected to be strapped to a stone altar, the human sacrifice in an ancient Mayan ritual meant to coax up a demon from the underworld. Or that she'd be saved by a handsome warrior-priest king who claims to recognize her from his visions...

    Jaguar Strike wishes he hadn't made the mistake of reuniting his fellow warrior priests, or broken the law by saving their chosen human sacrifice. Now, he has no choice but to join forces with Leah and invoke dangerous magic in a death-defying race against the end of time.

    Read an excerpt here:

    http://www.jessicaandersen.com/extras/nightkeppers-exerpt/

    You can be the lucky chica to get your hands on this book as Ms. Andersen will be giving away a signed copy of it. So don't forget to join us this Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Midnight Moon Café (http://midnightmooncafe.blogspot.com/)
    Permalink

    Monday, September 01, 2008

    Happy Labor Day!

    Wishing all our readers a safe and fun Labor Day!

    For those of you planning to spend time grilling out in the backyard, check out these recipes.
    They are sure to whet your appetite!



    Chipotle Burger

    Ingredients

    2 pounds lean ground beef
    3 tablespoons TABASCO brand Chipotle Pepper Sauce, divided
    1 teaspoon salt
    1/2 cup mayonnaise
    6 slices Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese
    6 hamburger buns
    6 red onion slices
    6 tomato slices
    6 lettuce leaves

    Directions

    Combine ground beef, 2 tablespoons of the TABASCO Chipotle Sauce and salt in a large bowl and mix well; shape into 6 patties. Combine mayonnaise with remaining 1 tablespoon TABASCO Chipotle Sauce and mix well; set aside.

    Grill or broil hamburger patties to desired doneness; place cheese slices on burgers and continue cooking just until cheese melts. Spread mayonnaise on buns and top with burgers, onion, tomato, and lettuce.


    Peppercorn Beef Kabobs

    Ingredients

    1 lb. boneless beef sirloin steak, cut 1 inch thick
    1 1/2 tsp. black peppercorns, crushed
    1/2 tsp. each salt and paprika
    1 clove garlic, crushed
    1 medium onion, cut into 12 wedges
    cherry tomato halves, optional

    Directions

    Cut steak into 1-inch pieces. Combine peppercorns, salt, paprika and garlic in shallow dish. Add beef and toss to coat.

    Thread an equal number of beef pieces onto each of four 12-inch skewers along with three onion wedges. Place kabobs on rack in broiler pan so surface of meat is 3 to 4 inches from heat. Broil 9 to 12 minutes for rare to medium, turning occasionally.

    Garnish with tomatoes, if desired.

    Suggestions

    Kabobs may also be grilled. Place on grid over medium coals. Grill 8 to 11 minutes


    Caribbean Jerk and Pineapple Kabobs

    Ingredients

    4 beef chuck eye steaks, cut 3/4 to 1 inch thick (6 to 8 oz. each)
    1/2 fresh pineapple, rind removed, cored, cut into 1 to 1-1/2 inch pieces (approx. 1-1/4 lbs.)
    3 green onions, cut into 1-1/2 inch long pieces
    2 Tbsp. butter, melted
    2 tsp. packed brown sugar
    dash ground red pepper

    Jerk Rub

    1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
    4 large cloves garlic, minced
    1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
    1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh ginger
    1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
    2 tsp. packed brown suagr
    1-1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crushed
    1-1/4 tsp. salt
    3/4 tsp. ground allspice

    Directions

    Soak four 12-inch bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes, drain. Alternately thread pineapple and green onion pieces onto each skewer.

    In small bowl, combine butter, 2 tsp. brown sugar and red pepper. Set aside.

    In another bowl, combine Jerk Rub ingredients. Press into both sides of each beef steak. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, 14 to 18 minutes for medium rare to medium done, turning occasionally. Grill kabobs 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned, turning occasionally and brushing with butter mixture during the last 5 minutes of grilling.

    Suggestions

    For a rub with less heat, remove jalapeno pepper seeds before chopping.

    Do you have a favorite recipe?
    Add it in the comments so other readers can see and share!



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    Permalink

    September Horoscope

    September Horoscope
    By Jeff Jawer
    Provided by Tarot.com


    September starts on a sober note when the Sun in pristine Virgo joins strict Saturn on the 3rd. The annual conjunction of the star of our solar system with the ringed planet is a time for taking stock, a moment to pause, measure, calculate and plan. While it may feel heavy to some as Saturn can burden us with doubt, duty and responsibilities, it is an ideal day to get real and lay the foundation for future success born of a commitment made now. Happily, encouragement is also present as the Sun forms a harmonious 120-degree trine with expansive Jupiter on September 4, linking this lucky planet's grand vision with the practical presence of Saturn. The alignment of the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn is perfect for organization and strategy, especially related to career since all three planets are in practical and productive earth signs. The ability to look ahead with hope (Jupiter's great gift) is also growing as the giant planet is nearing the end of its four-month retrograde cycle. This period of backward motion put a damper on optimism, but is now coming back -- along with the will and wherewithal to make hopes real. Collectively, these patterns favorably reflect the possibility of recognizing economic realities and moving toward rebuilding infrastructure as part of a long-range redevelopment plan. It's critical, though, that we maintain a sense of proportion and avoid promising too much or overshooting our targets when active Mars forms a stressful 90-degree square with Jupiter on September 7.

    The Full Moon on September 15 falls in the normally peaceful sign of Pisces, where sensitivity, compassion and imagination rule. This month, however, wild and crazy Uranus, the planet of invention and rebellion, is joined with the Full Moon to spike Pisces emotion with spicy surprises. We may be tempted to radically change our lives as impulsiveness overcomes common sense. Fresh ideas are sparked -- they may be brilliantly unrealistic or simply weird. Sudden changes provoked by this explosive lunation include the fall of authority figures, major accidents or geological upheaval. On an individual level, the challenge is to awaken to a new reality without rushing into it or running away from it. Genius ideas need to be cultivated as carefully as ordinary ones. The Sun's entry into gracious Libra on September 22 is the equinox (fall in France, spring in the Falklands), marking a change of seasons and new social alliances. Yet the cool objectivity of this sign is contrasted by magnetic Venus' entry into sensual Scorpio, increasing intensity in relationships as deeper desires can trigger change. Mental Mercury's backward turn on September 24 signals a three-week slowdown and a time to review and revise, rather than to rush ahead. The Libra New Moon on the 29th, however, is a signal to find balance between racing forward and regressing back to the past. Grace is the gift of this Venus-ruled sign, which reminds us that with harmony and a sense of fair play, it is possible to build bridges between our conflicting drives and between one another.

    According to the Signs
    By Rick Levine and Jeff Jawer

    Define Your Goals
    Aries September Horoscope


    Work issues require extra attention this month. You might decide to do your current job differently or to map out a strategy for a career shift. The Sun crosses disciplined Saturn in the 6th House of Work on September 3 and forms a hopeful trine with farsighted Jupiter in the 10th House of Career on September 4. Bumping up against limits with the first aspect can motivate you to create a wider view of your future with the second. Optimistic Jupiter turns direct in your 10th house on September 7 while pushed by a forceful square from Mars, a combination that'll likely spur ambitions. The exact trine of Jupiter and Saturn on September 8 helps you balance high hopes and realism to develop a plan for advancing your public image. The higher you aim, the more precise you must be to ensure that this first step will support your aspirations.

    Key Dates in September for Aries:


    September 7 - 8: Push Comes to Shove
    A high-energy square between Mars and Jupiter on September 7 gets your temperature rising. Major conflict can grow out of a minor issue, so tame the flames of your aggression if you want to avoid a fight. On the positive side, these punchy planets give you the courage to knock on doors and ask for what you want, even if you were previously refused. Chatty Mercury enters the picture on September 8 with a conjunction to Mars that sets your mind on fire with progressive ideas and assertive conversation. The capacity to sell yourself and your ideas grows even stronger, but avoid being overly insistent if you encounter opposition.

    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 21 - 24: Cooperation is Key
    Mars trines spiritual Neptune on September 21, blessing you with a gentle touch and an ardent desire to serve others. This is excellent for the kind of creative work that lets you use your imagination and stand up for those who can't defend themselves. The Sun enters peace-loving Libra, marking the first day of fall, and lights up your 7th House of Relationships on September 22. This shift of seasons is likely to open doors to new connections in your personal and public lives. There's a greater focus on sharing, caring, and compromising now that might inhibit your freedom to act independently. But fair exchanges with gifted associates are well worth the price. On September 23, Mercury joins Mars again -- the last time was on September 8 -- just before turning retrograde the very next day. Avoid the temptation to get in the last word unless it's one of encouragement.

    Keep in Mind This Month: Focus on what you are trying to accomplish rather than on your shortcomings to best overcome any self-doubt and to ultimately reach your objective.

    Narrow Your Facts
    Taurus September Horoscope


    September begins as a rather serious month, yet your desire to accomplish goals is balanced by the progress you make. The powerful planetary regulators, optimistic Jupiter and realistic Saturn, form a harmonious trine on September 8. Their stabilizing influence greatly impacts the remainder of the year, replaying a familiar theme from their previous trine in late January. You may get a taste of Saturn's severity on September 3, followed by Jupiter's benevolence on September 4, filling you with pride about the work you do. But there are countercurrents that arise as Mercury, Venus and Mars travel together as a pack through fair-minded Libra. Between September 7 and September 9, they each square Jupiter, tempting you with unrealistic expectations. The autumnal equinox on September 22 marks the Sun's entrance into team player Libra and your 6th House of Work, showing your willingness to labor quietly behind the scenes now.

    Key Dates in September for Taurus:


    September 3 - 4: Balance Preserves Order
    Self-discipline and well-managed creativity can overcome serious obstacles now. The Sun's annual conjunction with resolute Saturn on September 3 adds heavy responsibility to your day. Don't avoid any issues that surface, for they will only be more difficult to handle later on. When the Sun trines charitable Jupiter on September 4, your load may be lessened as others jump in to help. Keep in mind that you need to balance your overly cautious attitude with an open mind so you don't miss the opportunities right in front of you.

    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 15 - 19: Imagination Versus Realism
    These are a crazy few days when the dreamy Pisces full Moon on September 15 in your 11th House of Hopes and Wishes can push you to your limit. Chatty Mercury joins suave Venus, giving you the ability to express yourself with more confidence than you actually feel. The danger of overindulgence is still present, and the big Moon's alignment with high-strung Uranus only adds to the urgency of your needs. Both Venus and Mercury form annoying quincunxes with Uranus on September 16 and 17, highlighting your current distrust of what you are being told. Their easy trines to compassionate Neptune on September 17 and 19, however, suggest that if you keep a healthy perspective, your high ideals can fuel your dreams with reality.

    Keep in Mind This Month: You have the chance to manifest your wildest dreams. Graciously accept what is offered without pushing your luck and asking for more.

    Strategic Planning
    Gemini September Horoscope


    Visionary Jupiter goes direct on September 8 just in time to make its second harmonious trine of the year with realistic Saturn, helping you clarify long-range plans, especially related to work. Additional training or education could be the key to advancing your career and earning the respect you desire. Transformative Pluto shifts into forward gear on the same day, underscoring the deep urge to enhance your position. The Sun's conjunction with Saturn and trine to Jupiter on September 3 - 4 could foreshadow these changes, making the early part of the month a key time for strategic thinking. However, a volatile full Moon in Pisces on September 15 could shake things up on the job, for its conjunction to unpredictable Uranus and a tense square to Pluto are likely to rock your boat. Avoid making any quick decisions, though, since a crisis could subside as quickly as it surfaces.

    Key Dates in September for Gemini:

    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 9 - 7: Exhilarating Excess
    A strident square between assertive Mars and adventurous Jupiter on September 7 may push you farther than you need to go. Passion can provoke fights, flirtations or competitiveness that could get out of hand. This is no time to be shy, yet holding back your emotions just a little bit can allow you to remain in control. Mental Mercury joins Mars and squares Jupiter on September 8, adding verbal fuel to the fire with overblown ideas and more information than anyone can use. Sensible Saturn's stabilizing trine with Jupiter may help you find balance, but you will have to be patient for it to last. Pleasure-seeking Venus's supercharged square with Jupiter on September 9 may lead to excessive appetites for food, fun and fooling around. A little self-indulgence is appropriate as long as you don't spend more money or time than it's worth.

    September 28 - 29: New Ways to Play
    Retrograde Mercury trines Neptune again on September 28, reactivating your imagination and adding sweetness to your words. Then, on September 29, the New Moon in indulgent Libra plants fresh ideas for pleasure in your 5th House of Self-Expression. This is an excellent time to try out a new look and a different approach, whether to make yourself more alluring to others or simply to stimulate a spirit of playfulness.

    Keep in Mind This Month: Aim high but move slowly. The farther you want to go, the more cautious you need to be at this point in your journey.

    Balancing Act
    Cancer September Horoscope


    An emphasis on your 4th House of Home and Family this month encourages you to stabilize your foundation. on September 7--9 the personal planets all dynamically square Jupiter, now moving through disciplined Capricorn in your 7th House of Others. You could find yourself struggling to maintain your position as someone encourages you to venture outside your safety zone. The Sun's yearly opposition to brilliant Uranus on September 12 provokes you to express hidden feelings, possibly igniting a time of turmoil. The intuitive Pisces Full Moon on September 15 is closely conjunct spontaneous Uranus, tempting you to act before you think. Neptune is trined by Venus on September 17, by Mars on September 21, and by Mercury on September 28, soothing your anxieties. The sweet Libra New Moon on September 29 ends the month with the same 4th house emphasis on your home, family, and childhood memories -- all comfortable territory.

    Key Dates in September for Cancer:


    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 15 - 19: Internal Compass
    The visionary Pisces Full Moon on September 15 falls in your 9th House of Big Ideas, yet its conjunction to Uranus, the planet of sudden action, can change everything overnight. If you are feeling overly optimistic about an upcoming project or adventure, you may be unexpectedly reeled back to shore. It's time to take out your maps and use your navigational skills to determine your exact location and your desired destination. However, a series of annoying quincunxes with Uranus throughout the week turns a simple problem into a complicated string of events, requiring you to make one adjustment after another. If your commitment wanes or you lose your way, stop long enough to check your compass and get your bearings.

    September 28 - 29: Imagination Matters
    Trickster Mercury trines psychic Neptune on September 28, immersing you in your dreams. Don't expect to be rational while explaining your actions to others now, even though the Libra New Moon on September 29 can help you understand both sides of the equation. Use these days to develop a logical framework for your current activities, but don't toss out what comes to you in an intuitive flash. Instead, find a way to blend the best of your fantasies with your present reality.

    Keep in Mind This Month: Unexpected events may require immediate attention, but don't change your overall direction -- the distractions will fade, allowing you to continue on your way.

    Sudden Changes
    Leo September Horoscope


    The big gears of Jupiter and Saturn that shape your future -- especially in your career -- take a significant turn this month. On September 8, the planets of aspiration and accomplishment make their next-to-last trine in a series that began early last year. This provides you the good judgment to adjust your course one more time before the last trine locks in long-term patterns on November 11. You can pour some of your playful and enthusiastic spirit into the mix when your ruling planet, the Sun, joins Saturn on September 3 and trines Jupiter on September 4. A broad perspective sharpens your sense of strategy, allowing you to assess challenges skillfully and chart a course to success. Jupiter, the guru or teacher, turns direct on September 8, signaling your readiness to learn from those with more experience and to generously share your knowledge with others.

    Key Dates in September for Leo:


    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 7 - 8: Spirited Debate
    Assertive Mars is normally cool in diplomatic Libra, but its stressful square to Jupiter on September 7 motivates you to be even more outspoken than ever. Verbal Mercury joins the fray on September 8 with a conjunction to Mars and a square to Jupiter that intensifies communications. Jupiter's direct turn increases your tendency to exaggerate, making compromise unlikely. Additionally, Pluto's direct turn can release feelings that have been pent up for months. The potential for damage, though, is moderated by the wisdom of the Jupiter-Saturn trine. Restraint can arise just as it seems that rage is beginning to overcome reason, hopefully keeping differences of opinion from becoming destructive.

    September 20 - 23: Reveal Yourself
    The Sun-Pluto square on September 20 applies pressure through power struggles. Unburden yourself by letting go of inessential obligations. The Sun in social Libra on September 22 reminds you that you're not alone, but you need to share your concerns with those who care instead of stoically keeping everything to yourself. Venus's tough semisquare with Saturn just before entering passionate Scorpio on September 23 is a reminder that love requires work and that intimacy includes showing your flaws as well as your strengths.

    Keep in Mind This Month: Convert enemies into allies by thinking fast on your feet to catch opportunities that come when you least expect them.

    Consolidate Your Gains
    Virgo September Horoscope


    September begins on a heavier note as the Sun makes its annual conjunction with austere Saturn on September 3. You must take responsibility for your entire life -- the successes and the failures. Your flow of new ideas, as well as any forward progress, may seem slow as your ruling planet, Mercury, gradually grinds to a halt, finally turning retrograde on September 24. This month is less about breaking new ground than it is about preparing the soil on which you stand for a garden that is yet to be grown. The fantasy-driven Pisces full Moon on September 15 can bring a surprising change within a relationship, for it conjuncts unpredictable Uranus in your 7th House of Partnerships. The fair-minded Libra new Moon on September 29 in your 2nd House of Values is a reminder to consider all perspectives before you decide which ones fit your principles and personal needs.

    Key Dates in September for Virgo:


    September 3 - 4: Deliver More than Promised
    Serious Saturn restrains the brilliant Sun on September 3, piling responsibilities onto your shoulders. Even if you're uncertain about what you're doing, trust your common sense -- it won't mislead you now. The Sun's lucky trine to hopeful Jupiter on September 4 graces you with a positive attitude, no matter how hard you must work. Aside from the possibility of promising more than you can deliver, your current efforts should bring the desired results.

    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 20 - 23: Reveal Yourself
    The Sun loses focus as it shines opposite radical Uranus on September 12, sending waves of excitement through your system as you react to your newfound freedoms. Mercury's conjunction with charming Venus on September 14 helps you get away with otherwise unacceptable behavior, especially if you stay conscious of other people's feelings. The psychic Pisces full Moon on September 15 is conjunct Uranus, rattling you with sudden awareness. Even if you are uncomfortable with an unexpected change of rules, just acknowledge what you learn and get on with your daily routine.

    Keep in Mind This Month: Instead of worrying about how you can fix everything all at once, reevaluate your life and develop a strategy to preserve what's already working.

    Working It
    Libra September Horoscope


    Work is an issue this month, but opportunistic Jupiter in ambitious Capricorn turns direct in your 4th House of Roots on September 7. This can set off an inner process of expansion that encourages you to aim higher professionally. Investing in a home office or buying equipment to launch a business is smart. Jupiter and Saturn, the planetary planners, form a constructive trine on September 9 that effectively combines hope and pragmatism to help set a long-term strategy. Conditions are less stable during the sensitive Pisces full Moon on September 15, which occurs in your 6th House of Daily Routines. The raw emotions, vulnerability and vivid imagination of this event are jolted to a higher level of intensity by electric Uranus's conjunction with the Moon. The New Moon in your sign on September 29 provides a gentle push forward that encourages you to be more socially and physically engaged.

    Key Dates in September for Libra:


    September 9 - 11: Personality Plus
    Pleasure prevails with a fun-loving square between Venus and Jupiter on September 9. You may toss good judgment out the window to play with friends or in a romantic pursuit of a questionable nature. The desire to fill your heart can spur you to lose sight of your basic values and perhaps spend more than you should. It is appropriate to broaden your tastes and feed your senses, but keeping this within reasonable bounds right now can save you from regret later. A Venus-Mars conjunction on September 11 continues the sensual theme. Whether you are seductive or shy, your ability to charm others wins friends and influences people.

    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 20 - 23: Take Your Time
    A tense Sun-Pluto square can undermine trust and provoke power struggles on September 20. Repressed emotions surging to the surface feel destructive, but can be a necessary step toward self-empowerment. A Mars-Neptune trine on September 21 shows that you can be assertive and compassionate at the same time. The autumn equinox is marked by the Sun's entrance into your sign on September 22, helping you find your balance while a sextile between Venus and Pluto gives you access to deeper levels of intimacy. These aspects will serve you well when the love planet enters profound Scorpio on September 23. Its semisquare with strict Saturn and Mercury's retrograde turn, however, counsel patience above all.

    Spiritual Renewal
    Scorpio September Horoscope


    This month begins with four planets in your 12th House of Soul Consciousness, luring you away from the mundane world as you seek peace of mind. You are obsessed with discovering the secrets of the cosmos and may choose to retreat from the noise of day-to-day life. Finding a healthy balance between your spiritual quest and ongoing responsibilities is a challenge as the 12th house planets in open-minded Libra square boundless Jupiter. The surge of conviction from this giant planet on September 7--11 tempts you to throw caution to the wind as you follow your dreams. Fortunately, expansive Jupiter forms the second of three harmonious trines with contractive Saturn on September 8, giving you enough common sense to moderate any personal indulgence. You may need some time alone to process your choices. The alternative is going with the flow -- only to later discover that you missed an important opportunity.

    Key Dates in September for Scorpio:


    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 7 - 11: Selective Service
    Work to establish equilibrium between your personal needs and your commitment to others as abundant Jupiter trines taskmaster Saturn on September 8. Finding balance may not be easy, for impulsive Mars squares Jupiter on September 7, filling you with altruism. You are so eager to help anyone in need that you can say yes before considering your personal sacrifice. Then, when fair-minded Mercury in Libra conjuncts Mars and squares Jupiter on September 8, you can push yourself right to the edge. Venus repeats this pattern on September 9--11, again suggesting that discipline and restraint are your keys to success, so watch those extravagant purchases and indulgences. Good fortune is indicated as long as you don't go overboard or overlook any significant details.

    September 23 - 24: Spiritual Warrior
    Your words might turn uncharacteristically surly as Mercury the Communicator and Mars the Warrior join on September 23 for a second time this month -- their first conjunction was on September 8 -- as the winged messenger slows down to begin its three-week retrograde phase on September 24. This prolongs Mercury's visit to your private 12th House of Endings and encourages you to spend enough time in meditation and contemplation to allow you to complete this current cycle of spiritual growth.

    Keep in Mind This Month: Taking care of your responsibilities must be a part of your spiritual practice. It's not just about finding deeper meaning. It's also about making your life work.

    Into The Future
    Sagittarius September Horoscope


    September begins with four planets in your 11th House of Friends and Wishes, reminding you how much others can help clarify your aspirations. You're challenged to find a healthy balance between your present responsibilities and your hopes for a better future. The planetary currents force you to meet your obligations as the focused Virgo Sun conjuncts authoritative Saturn in your 10th House of Public Responsibility on September 3. But the Sun quickly moves on to harmonize with lenient Jupiter on September 4, coaxing you to believe that you can get by on your previous efforts. The long-term effects of Jupiter's trine to Saturn on September 8, however, bring your inflationary thinking down to earth, allowing you to successfully launch a significant project. The rational Libra new Moon on September 29 in your 11th House of Goals encourages you to look ahead, rather than behind, and to visualize your unrealized dreams.

    Key Dates in September for Sagittarius:


    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 7 - 9: Play it Cool
    Your ruling planet, Jupiter, is the king of bigger, better and more -- and he is overactive these days with squares to feisty Mars on September 7, chatty Mercury on September 8 and friendly Venus on September 9. Additionally, Jupiter turns direct on September 8, turning up your power another notch. You could easily go overboard, taking on too much work, for instance, or spending too much money. You want it all right now, and it will be challenging to hold yourself back from having another sweet dessert or buying that original piece of artwork you've dreamed of owning. Fortunately, you receive powerful assistance when "boss planet" Saturn trines Jupiter on September 8 -- the second of three such aspects this year. If you don't exercise enough self-restraint, unexpected consequences could make extravagance and self-indulgence more costly. Impulsive or reckless acts are not likely to turn out well.

    September 20 - 22: Spiritual Solution
    The careful Virgo Sun in your 10th House of Career squares dark Pluto on September 20, shining the light of analysis onto a stressful situation at work. The path through this tough emotional terrain can stir your anger, especially if someone is working against you. Nevertheless, you are driven to find an answer. Mars's trine to Neptune on September 21 can reduce the pressure, dissolving your ego's need for dominance. The autumn equinox is marked by the Sun's entry into diplomatic Libra on September 22, illuminating your 11th House of Friends. Remember, it's less important to be right than it is to get along with others.

    Keep in Mind This Month: No matter how eager you are to run up the mountain, you're better off slowing down, talking to others about your mutual goals and working together for everyone's benefit.

    On-the-Job Diplomacy
    Capricorn September Horoscope


    This month is a key time of transition as visionary Jupiter turns direct in ambitious Capricorn on September 8. The forward movement of the planet of opportunity advances plans that have been brewing under the surface for the past few months. This Jupiter station is exceptionally powerful, because the giant planet forms a constructive trine with solid Saturn as it changes direction. The cooperative alignment of these two worldly planets cultivates solid ground that should bear fruit when their long series of aspects ends on November 21. The Full Moon in imaginative Pisces on September 15 can bring surprises to your daily life and send your thinking in a new direction. Its conjunction with eccentric Uranus in your 3rd House of Information sparks your intuition and interest in unusual subjects, but can also lead to strange conversations or sudden breakdowns in communication.

    Key Dates in September for Capricorn:


    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 7 - 8: Strategic Commitment
    Energetic Mars squares overenthusiastic Jupiter on September 7, which might stretch your resources too thin. You could see a small dispute grow into a major battle, or a little task into a giant chore. Narrow your focus to harness the power you're feeling now and to channel it more judiciously in the days ahead. Jupiter's direct turn and positive trine with Saturn on September 8 give you a perfect balance between high hopes and down-to-earth common sense. You can apply your force effectively to bring about long-term changes. Intense Pluto is also shifting into forward gear, showing that you are ready to express your deepest desires in a constructive manner.

    September 20 - 22: Spiritual Solution
    A stressful Sun-Pluto square on September 20 spawns power struggles and difficulties in sharing authority, but at least it finally brings deeper issues out into the open. Fortunately, a sweet Mars-Neptune trine on September 21 softens conflict and turns a potential tug-of-war into a playful pillow fight. The Sun enters harmonious Libra on September 22, the autumn equinox, for a last-minute evaluation of relationships two days before Mercury goes retrograde, when serious negotiations should be shelved.

    Keep in Mind This Month: Responding to the needs and desires of other people will help you enlist their cooperation -- as well as promote your own ambitions.

    Sustaining Growth
    Aquarius September Horoscope


    This month you must dig in your heels and meet your current obligations, but your anticipation of better days ahead tells you to throw caution to the wind. It's an irresolvable contrast likely to be emphasized throughout the remainder of the year. The intuitive Pisces full Moon on September 15 falls in your 2nd House of Money. This full Moon is conjunct unpredictable Uranus and can mean a financial surprise -- either an unexpected expense or a sudden windfall. The Sun's entry into Libra the Scales on September 22 marks the autumnal equinox. With four planets now in airy Libra, you could be preoccupied with theory to the exclusion of more practical considerations. The creative Libra new Moon on September 29 can offer you enough time to reflect on your current circumstances, dream of what's around the next corner and balance the differences between what you have and what you want.

    Key Dates in September for aquarius:


    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 7 - 12: Be the Change You Seek
    The stabilizing trine between optimistic Jupiter and realistic Saturn on September 8 can steady your emotions and place your feet on the ground. But staying practical is tough when opportunities for travel, education or plain old fun arrive at your doorstep. Diplomatic Mercury, charming Venus and tactful Mars -- all in fair-minded Libra and your 9th House of Big Ideas -- take turns squaring Jupiter from September 7 until September 11, tempting you to forget about your obligations. Overconfidence can be a trap now, for you may actually believe that your success is assured. Unfortunately, you could overlook important details and end up discouraged when the outcome doesn't meet your expectations. The Sun's annual opposition to your key planet Uranus on September 12 can wreak havoc on an intimate or business relationship, shining bright light on a difficult situation. If you've been considering your options, it may be time to trust your intuition and act decisively.

    September 24: Back to the Drawing Board
    Your date with destiny may be postponed as trickster Mercury turns retrograde in your 9th House of Faraway Places on September 24. This initiates a three-week period when you must go back over your current plans and ideas before bringing them to fruition when Mercury resumes direct motion on October 15. If you're planning a trip during this time, pay extra attention to the details to avoid snafus.

    Keep in Mind This Month: Even if you can see amazing possibilities everywhere you look, you must first take care of your current obligations if you want more measurable results.

    Rider on the Storm
    Pisces September Horoscope


    Just as long-range plans seem to be lining up logically, an unexpected event or change of heart can lead to a major course shift this month. Your newly earned security, however, is interrupted by an explosive full Moon in your sign on September 15. Full Moons always raise emotional tides, yet this one is especially volatile: Uranus, the planet of shock, rebellion and breakthrough, is closely conjunct, releasing unexpected circumstances and unpredictable responses. You may be bored with routine, restless for change and ready to turn your life upside down. It's also possible that you're comfortable where you are -- but the world around you suddenly seems to spin in the opposite direction. Regardless of how fast things turn, your intuition can respond quickly and keep up. The Libra new Moon on September 29 in your 9th House of Higher Truth lifts your spirits and invites you on a philosophical quest.

    Key Dates in September for Pisces:


    SUPER NOVA DAYS
    September 12 - 15: Chaos and Change
    A jumpy Sun-Uranus opposition on September 12 can surprise you as a reliable person fails to perform as expected, a shy friend turns bold or even you take uncharacteristic risks in sharing your true feelings. September 14 looks like a slippery Sunday with a Sun-Neptune quincunx better suited for escapism than practical pursuits. The powerful Pisces full Moon on September 15 is electrified by its conjunction to Uranus, while a tense square to the Sun and Moon from extreme Pluto makes this an even more transformational time. There's too much happening for you to comprehend at once. Keep things simple rather than adding fuel to the raging fire. Small moves have major effects, so temper your responses to maintain some semblance of control.

    SEPTEMBER 17: Love Heals
    A sweet Venus-Neptune trine brings pleasure to soothe the rawness of your emotions. This can be an island of calm in the midst of the swirling waters of change. Indulge in a healthy escape -- go shopping, or lose yourself in a feel-good movie -- to take your mind off life's larger challenges. Moments of delight with an easygoing person remind you of the healing power of love.

    Keep in Mind This Month: If you keep a light hand on the wheel, the road will tell you which way you need to turn to avoid accidents and safely reach your destination.


    *This article is excerpted from the book, 'Your Astrology Guide 2008' by Rick Levine and Jeff Jawer, astrologers for Tarot.com. To find out the rest of your key dates and those of your friends and lovers -- and to get the scoop on your Super Nova days, too -- purchase 'Your Astrology Guide 2008.'

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