Hi folks, long time no talk. Hope everyone is having a fantastic, peach filled summer. I’m doing my best to stay cool. I’m happy to report that I’m “breaking ground” on a fabulous new paranormal story. Can’t tell you any more than that yet. But it’s awesome. I’m excited. Let’s hope the fingers fly and this puppy gets finished soon. Real soon.

I’m slowly catchin’ up on my blog reading and I came across this post talking about sex in our industry. How much is too much? Is it harder to write sexy or to add sexy or to take it out?

I’m of the mind that the story should be as sexy as the premise and the characters. I don’t write my books with a set number of sex scenes in mind. There could be zero if the story doesn’t warrant one.

There are always things you can do to “up” the tension. And you can always add sex scenes. But does it matter? Does “more sex” make a book better?

Believe it or not, I’ve been told before that I don’t write sexy enough. Yeah, I shook my head at that too. What I guess they meant was that I don’t include love scene after love scene.

Oh well. That doesn’t bother me so long as people keep reading and enjoying my books.

I did like this part though: a paranormal romance author should be able to do solid world-building.

Let’s just hope I can keep doing that.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe labor day!

Along the same lines as last week…

Old favorites, books from our childhood. Do you remember yours? I have traditional favorites I suppose. Dr. Suess, Cat in the Hat and all that. There was also The Giving Tree, any book about animals that I could find (hey, I still have my battered copy of a Mammals field guild, LOL), Nancy Drew, I even had a few of The Baby Sitters club.

There comes a time when every parent starts cleaning out their kids “stuff.” You know, years after the “kid” becomes and adult and moves out. I secretly think parents just want all of their space back. Which they should, but I digress. This has been a pattern for a few years. Every so often my old “stuff” finds its way to my house.

Am I the only one who enjoys looking through all that old junk? I talked about memory lane last week. I think your “kid junk” is the holy grail of memory lane.

And I’ll admit that sometimes I’m happy to look at my old junk and quickly get rid of it. I’m only a book packrat, remember?

Like Angela, I’m a book packrat. And as ya’ll can guess, I’m proud of that fact…except when I can’t find a favorite. I’ve got closets full of books you know. And while I don’t have any of the wonderous collections that Angela talks about in her post, I like to think of all my books as one wonderful collection. Mine. Books that have brought me hours (and if you tally them up, I’m sure it’s a few years worth.) of joy and bliss.

One of my “summer projects” (you have those, right?) was to organize one of my closets. Yeah…that went well. I sat down in the middle of a book crowded floor and had myself a nice read. To me, there is no better trip down memory lane that sitting amongst my book collection.

Dear Readers,

Welcome to my new (and hopefully improved) website. I’m thrilled with the way it came out. It’s been a while in the making but hopefully you’ll find lots of interesting things here and learn more about my books.

Thanks to everyone who bought the book, making it a bestseller and high on the list over at fictionwise. For a while there Power of Seduction was squeezed between paranormal goddesses Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole. Awesome? I think so.

I’m testing the Facebook waters, as well as Twitter, Plurk, Goodreads and Shelfari. So if you’re a member, look me up!

More soon…

Love,

Madison

I’ve determined that now, more than ever, we must give literacy programs a push. We must get children and adults reading. We must teach them how to read: no smoking!

While at the gas station last week I saw a woman pumping gas, a lit cigarette in her other hand. This is the first time in all my years I’ve seen this. I was frozen on the spot.

Gasoline and fire do not mix.

Or maybe no one told this woman that. For whatever reason, she did not or could not read the no smoking signs (plastered everywhere!) and I was too stunned to say anything. I know, surprising right? Of course, what would I have said? Hey moron, the sign says no smoking for a reason? No doubt I would have lost all my sweet talking, southern cool and headed straight for rude woman who’s lost her cool.

*sigh* Another day in the steamy south. Maybe the heat is going to people’s heads.

Love,

Madison

Or your fellow driver as the case may be.

Monday I visited a friend and the drive was 2 hours both ways. Thus I had ample time to think, observe my fellow drivers, and stew.

What is so hard about turning on your turn signal?

It’s common courtesy, at least that’s what I wanted to shout at half a dozen people. I couldn’t help but think, on this week where we’re looking forward to Valentine’s Day and celebrating love for our SOS maybe we should remember to love ourselves and those around us. It’s easy to do. Just be nice.

Use your turn signal. Stop cutting people off in traffic. Seriously, you will not get there that much faster than me.

If there’s traffic, let that person in… yes, the one with her turn signal on, who’s waiting patiently.  Perhaps I’m the only crazy person in the world who feels good when I do that. If so, oh well.

And while you’re being nice to your neighbor, be nice to yourself. Treat yourself with a new book, a candle, a nice meal. Relax. Have a bubble bath. Pour yourself a glass of wine.

Take care!

Love,

Madison

Anyone remember LambChop? This is the song that never ends?

Some days I feel like I’m writing the book that never ends. For reasons I won’t go into. Suffice to say I love this book and I love the characters. And they deserve their happily ever after… (and a bit of hot sex.)

I don’t have much to say today so I thought I’d post the inspiration for the hero in this book that I’m working on (the sequel to Portrait of Seduction).

Enjoy. No slobbering on my blog please.

Winter is back in the South. It took for ever to arrive and then took a vacation earlier this month. It snowed here yesterday for the first time in years. Can I just say I love snow? Now that that’s said….

There’s a new controversy storming the blogosphere and I really don’t want to add to it. In fact I won’t even name it. I’ll just say that reading it all has turned me off to several places I used to love and if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

Enough said about that.

A question for all of you… As I’ve been working on a new project I’ve been wondering….. how do you see the future? Do you think we’ll ever have flying cars? Robots doing our bidding? Will humanity as a race fall back? Will the world become one giant city? Will space travel become common place?

I want to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment below.

A new year always makes me reflective.  It makes me look back over the last year and wonder why I didn’t drink more sweet tea or write more.  Why I didn’t eat less over the holidays and in general ponder why my jeans are a little snug these days.

Last year was a really bad one for me.  A lot of my goals fell through the slats in the floorboards so to speak.  I pretty much lost touch with most everyone and to all the friends I’ve neglected, I’m so sorry.

I’m going to try to do better this year.  I’m excited again. And that’s a good thing.  Hopefully I can catch up and make some progress. Hopefully I’ll get organized.  Maybe even make a list of goals again.

My first goal is to make my characters cooperate.

My second is to get a glass of tea.

And my third is to stop neglecting my blog.

I hope you have a wonderful New Year and all your dreams come true!

Love,

Madison

PS. Slow Burn and Portrait of Seduction are both still available at Cobblestone Press. Slow Burn is available on Fictionwise.

Yes, I know I’ve been terribly MIA. I apologize, darlings. Please forgive me.  You’ll be happy to know that there’s a new chapter of Warm Autumn Wishes up for your reading enjoyment. I hope you’ll drop by to read it and vote for what happens next!

Don’t forget that Slow Burn is available at Fictionwise now.  It and Portrait of Seduction are still available at Cobblestone Press.

What’s new with everyone?  How’s the weather? What are you reading? Bought any cute shoes lately?  :mrgreen:

Love,

Madison

I’m back… my poor neglected journal.  It’s been a tiresome few weeks. We desperately need rain here and the forrest fires down south are making the air unbreathable. It’s hot, icky, and smokey here and I spend every free second praying for rain. Sad isn’t it?

I’ve got some awesome new flip flops to add to the growing collection. And I’ve got lots of interviews to post too.

I’m hanging out over at  Dark Ice Goddess’ Musings this week. Great name, btw. Musings are good.   Come say hello to me and my fellow CP authors. Slow Burn was featured on Monday.  And just for the heck of it, I’m giving away a copy of Slow Burn to a lucky newsletter subscriber. So subscribe and win!

Hi Darlins,

How was your weekend? It’s hot and somewhat sticky here in the south.  Fans are whirring and I’m sure air conditioners will be kickin’ on soon.

I thought I’d give you guys a little update about what I’m working on.  Right now I’m finishing the sequel to last October’s release, Portrait of Seduction.  Hopefully you’ll be able to pick up a copy later this year.  This is Cassidy and Tor’s story… there’s just something about the handsome werewolf that Cassidy finds irresistible and I’m sure you will too!

You all know how much I love talkin to folks, so stick around this month because I have lots and lots of new interviews to share with you. If you know of someone I should interview, leave me a comment. I’ll be happy to talk to them.

Watch my journal each Friday for some new foot candy… that’s what I’m calling flip flops these days because they’re so colorful, sparkly, and down right yummy looking!

Happy May everyone,

Madison

How about a Monday with Madison?

This post over at CoffeeTime made me wonder exactly what it is I love so much about the Happily Ever After in a romance novel. I guess I just feel like everyone should have one, even characters. And if I were running the world, the number one rule would be “everyone has a right to love.” Both to love, be loved, and be in love.

But back to HEA… there’s just something satisfying about knowing that two people found each other and they’re supposed to be together. I guess I see so many people in real life and wonder if they’re really supposed to be, meant to be together.

I love that feeling that I get that everything is right in the world. That there’s hope. Hope that I’ll find love and that I’ll have a chance at happiness too.

I like to sigh at the end of the book. I like to close the pages and wish the book weren’t over. I like to think about the characters and be happy for them. I like to smile.

And HEAs make me smile.

What is it that you love about HEAs?

Happy New Year everyone!

I’m back from a much needed reprieve.  Been away from the computer for quite a while and now I feel recharged.  And that has nothing to do with all the food I ate over the holidays.   Well, maybe it does.

So what did you do for New Years? Anything special?  Have a favorite drink of the night?  I watched Anderson Cooper on CNN at Times Square.  That man looks FINE in blue, doesn’t he?

So, what are your goals for the new year? Any thoughts yet?  I’m still thinking on that. And I’ll probably post those goals later this week.

Hope everyone is well.

Love,

Madison

Contrary to what men might have us believe, they don’t always know better. For starters, they’re always getting lost (at least the man of my house is.) And sometimes the simplest way to do something is right in front of their face but they don’t see it until you point it out to them. :-)

Now, I love my man, and I wouldn’t change him. But we just had a funny little incident that I thought I’d share.

Yesterday my mouse stopped working. And I don’t know about you, but I can’t live without being able to point and click. I’ve just not grasped how to use keyboard shortcuts and all that jazz. So anyway, I gave up on the mouse and went to read Susan Mallery’s latest. (I’d give it a 5 out of 5 btw, but what else is new? She’s Susan Mallery after all.)

So today I come in praying for a miracle that the mouse is working. Nope. We switch the buttons and so I’m cruising along clicking my right mouse key. Joy. So finally, I get a little tried of all this mouse nonsense, I mean it was working perfectly well yesterday.

Then I had an epiphany. About ten years ago I had a printer that would occasionally go on strike. Since it was on a roll out thingy in the desk, close to the floor, I used to threaten to kick it. Again… frustration. Not that I ever kicked it, I swear. But the threats always worked, oddly enough. Printer would start printing. I’d be happy… until the next time.

So back to the mouse. I thought about threatening it, but at this point I was pretty frustrated so I gave it a good whack against the mouse pad. Yes, I know. I’m abusing my hardware…. DH says to me, “you know, I don’t think hitting it is going to help.” How like him. It takes a whole lot to get that man frustrated. Not being able to do my work for two days… oh I was way up there on the frustrated scale.

So I clicked the left mouse button……. and what do you know. It worked!

“Well, it worked. The left mouse button is working again,” I told him triumphantly.

See…. men don’t always know better.

And at least my mouse is working again, thank goodness!

Stay tuned for the word of the week.

Here’s my day-late Monday with Madison.

You’ve gotta check out these pics: http://thenonist.com/index.php/thenonist/permalink/hot_library_smut/

So I was chatting online with a friend (who’s not from the US) and we ended up talking about my new book and that lead to a facinating discussion about the difference between love and sex and how you’d define the two.  Are they different, etc.  Now, my friend isn’t from the US, as I mentioned, so definitions are different etc. which is perhaps why i love chatting so much and discovering the nuances.

So, I feel like giving something away… say another tub of my Flip Flop lotion… So leave me a comment telling me your take on the topic (what’s the difference between love and sex) and I’ll randomly pick a winner Halloween night.

I can’t believe tomorrow is Halloween.  Honestly.  Time has been flying by and I’m just not ready for tricks or treats.  I’m going to have to go to the store… soon.

As you know, my book Portrait of Seduction came out last Friday.  So far, feedback is positive.   I’m hoping to get some reviews and reader comments in soon.

I keep going back to this one blog b/c they’ve got the yummiest goodies going on.  Needless to say they’re making me hungry!  I’ve got a fabulous Halloween inspired recipe that I’m going to post in my next newsletter… note to self: send newsletter ASAP.

BTW, I’m looking for a good scary romance… something that will have chills racing down my spine.  I’m not often in the mood for thrills and chills… but… I am today, so recommendations?

I saw an interesting factoid the other day… Iceland has the most readers, worldwide.  I guess if I lived up there where it was so cold I’d read a lot too.  So if you’re reading this and you’re in Iceland, give me a shout out, okay?   And if you’re not in Iceland and you want to give me a shout out, hey, I love comments. LOL

More coming soon.

I just read this post over on the Brava Authors blog. How much is too much information about authors? Why do you visit one authors website/blog and not another authors? Do you prefer daily updates? Or well thought out weekly essays?

As a new author, this topic is on my mind contantly! Am I doing enough? Too much? *insert fingernails being chewed* Too little? *more nail biting* Is my personality coming through? Do I have enough controversy to attract readers? Writers? Will editors visit and if so, is everything grammatically correct? *picture me starting to sweat… I mean, glisten*

So tell me, dear readers, do I have anything to worry about? Am I anxious for nothing?

Well Ladies & Gents, I did it. I rode five miles on my bike yesterday.  While I feel great there are certain parts of the ol’ anatomy that are really sore if you catch my drift.   And some of you know I’ve been trying the Special K challenge.  That’s going better than I thought it would.

I’ve got lots of fall projects going on right now, including some new books.  But mostly I’m just anticipating the release of Portrait of Seduction. We’re counting down… it’s 10 days away.  Next Friday.  Are you ready to be seduced?

What’s new with all of you dear visitors?

I recently came across an interesting post from author Shanna Swendson and her views on Chick Lit. There are lots of opinions on chick lit right now. It seems some literary authors feel chick lit (and I’d dare to guess, fiction in general) isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. Obviously as a fiction author, I don’t agree. But there’s a view out there right now that Chick Lit is destroying American culture.

While I don’t really like getting into political issues and name calling etc, I’ve been reading various posts on the subject with some interest. I’m truly interested in others opinions on the matter.

And one thing that I picked up on in Shanna’s post was this: “If anything is hurting America, it’s the fact that people aren’t reading much.”

I couldn’t agree more. I think part of it is that people don’t know how to read (a literacy issue), some don’t have time to read (scheduling issues), some people don’t have an interest in reading (they have yet to find something they like to read), etc. There are dozens of reasons for it. I’m not sure I want to get into all that.

I might revisit this topic, but for now, what do you think? Don’t hold back I want your honest opinion. Why do you or don’t you like fiction? Would you rather read a literary work about heartbreak and suffering? Do you enjoy reading the newspaper? Would you rather just read a cereal box? All opinions welcome. Call me curious Madison today.
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How is everyone doing?

I’m glad to report that I finally have a cover for Portrait of Seduction!

What do you think?

Remember, I’m running a quick contest this week here on my journal. Thanks to everyone who came out last Thursday to the Publisherday at CataNetwork Readers. It was great to see so many happy faces.

I’m so sorry I didn’t make it to the Cobblestone Loop on Friday.  I caught a weird stomach bug. Luckily I’m over that and back at the computer writing up a storm.

Oh boy! My very first interview has been posted at Ecataromance.com.  I’m so excited.  If you want to know more about me, check it out.

Friends, it seems that I have a problem. I’m a chronic list maker. And that’s not the problem. I’m also a chronic list loser.  So here I am thinking… what to blog about… And then I remember that I had made a list of all sorts of neat things to blog about.  And well, when I went to look for it… it’s ugh, gone.

So… new topic today. Making lists. Keeping them. Finding them.

Maybe it’s the writer in me but I always have paper and a pen in hand.  And usually a book or two.  Or a magazine. I’m the only person I know who goes out to dinner with a tablet in hand.  But hey, you never know when motivation, inspiration or the muse (who is back from vacation, thank you very much!) will strike.

Or when your husband will need something to write on.

It never fails.  I was out to dinner last month with my wonderful dh.  And I actually made an effort not to bring my trusty tablet and pen.  Because I thought we should just talk and eat.  And I’d try to not ignore the waitress.

And dh says to me… “Hey, where’s your notebook? I have an idea I want to write down.”

Picture me with a blank-sorta-what-the-hell-did-you-do-with-my-husband look.  “You want to write down an idea? Sorry. I left it at home.”

“At home?  But you always bring it!”  He was disbelieving for sure.

“Yep. And just look what happens when I did. You need it.  So, you can’t tease me any more, ever again, about always bringing my notebook.”

And he hasn’t teased me since.

So… how about you? Are you a note taker? List maker? Chronic writer? Always have a book in hand? I’d love to hear from you.

There comes a point in every author’s life (okay, career) that they begin to question themselves. It’s a scary question really.

The question is… am I a one hit wonder?

And the answer is… no I’m not! Yay! I just made my second sale to Cobblestone Press and I’m thrilled. It will be an October release titled Portrait of Seduction.

I’m currently working on an “official blurb” for it but I’ll go ahead and tell you that it’s paranormal, takes place around Halloween in New York and the first big scene takes place at a glamorous Masquerade Ball. The heroine is incredible, you’re just going to love her. She’s not your typical heiress. And the hero is not your typical artist. And you’re definitely going to love him. Him and his bedroom eyes. And incredible abs. And… ok, I’ll stop teasing you. In fact, there’s nothing typical about this story and that’s what makes it so neat.

So, be sure to watch for it, watch this space for more information, check my website for official details and behind the scenes info, and be sure to watch for awesome contest prizes because I LOVE Halloween.

In other news I’ve added some goodies to my myspace contest. It ends on the 15^th, so hurry and enter! In addition to the flip flops I’ll send a tub of Flip Flop scented lotion, a nail file and a foot shaped foot scrubber.

I’m having another Author Day at CataNetwork Readers on Thursday August 17^th, so be sure to stop by. I’ve got a door prize to give away.

I’m running a Launch contest on my website. See my contest page for details on how to win this awesome prize.

And lastly… drumroll please!

I’ve been asked by the CataNetwork to be their Enews reporter this week as they gear up for their Reviewers’ Choice Awards. Since I can only dream of winning one of these awards, I’m happy to take part in it any way I can. I’ll post more details as I have them, but for now, stop by the catanetwork.com website for details.

Oh, and I’m supposed to tell you… you’re cordially invited to attend the awards ceremony on Friday. Here’s the invite: http://catanetwork.com/rcainvite.html

If you’re not signed up for my newsletter yet, take a sec to sign up to the right.

Love,

Madison

Good morning everyone. I hope you had a truly wonderful weekend. I hope it wasn’t too hot (or too cold for those of you in the middle of winter!) and that if you needed rain, you got some. It rained here on Saturday and boy do we need it! Even my zinnias were wilting and anyone who knows about zinnias knows that they don’t traditionally mind hot weather. I guess that must mean this is scorching weather!

Now, about today’s question. Is romance alive?

Have your cup of coffee handy? Good, now have a seat and stay a while. The rocking chairs are mighty comfy here.

Is romance alive? As a romance author I often wonder this. And I’m often thinking, goodness, is no one romantic anymore? Am I writing about things, people, ideas that have no place in today’s world? Don’t get me wrong, a lot of romance is fantasy, as it should be. BUT sometimes that fantasy, the romance needs to surface in our real life. At least, that’s what I say and I’m sticking to it.

And as soon as I begin to wonder where the romance is, it comes up and kisses me on the cheek. For instance, last week my dh and I were discussing music and iTunes. Yes, I’m a fan. Thank goodness for their gift cards! But I was telling him that there’s this one song that I have looked high and low for and short of me taping it off of the movie, I wasn’t going to get a copy for my playlist. I’ve looked everywhere for this song. iTunes, Wal-Mart, etc. So he offers to look for it for me and I tell him “more power to ya,” because I’ve looked before and it’s not there.

So fast forward to Saturday morning. Imagine me going out in my PJs to check the mail. Low and behold there’s a small brown box from Amazon. So I grab it and go ask dh if he knew what it was. He says “yes, open it.” And I’m like, don’t mind if I do, because I have this weird thing about liking to open mail. (Paying bills is a different story!)

So I’m trying to get into this box, it’s harder than it looks! And finally, I pull out a CD. And there is my song! The one I’ve been looking for for like 4 years and I wasn’t about to break down and by a whole CD for ONE song…. and dh had! He bought the whole CD, just so I can listen to my song whenever I want… and I’m listening to it right now.

Now, for those of you thinking “how romantic! A CD!” you’ve got to look past the gift and look at the idea. There was the element of surprise. There’s the generosity. I wasn’t going to pay for a whole CD. I just wanted the one song, and yes, I’m spoiled like that. I don’t want to pay for a whole CD when I only want one song. Especially since it’s the ONLY song on the CD I’ll listen too. (The other songs are heavy metal, rap, etc…. stuff I can’t even understand and only gives me a headache.) The fact that he just wanted me to have it because I enjoy it. Let’s just say he got lots of kisses for that!

And interestingly enough, that one sweet gesture recharged my romantic batteries. I’m again looking for little ways to surprise and spoil him. Even though I’m super busy and there aren’t enough hours in the day. But now I’m taking those five minutes to send an ecard. Be back in five.

Back… what about flowers you say? He gets me flowers all the time and I just love it. He knows I love flowers, so he often surprises me when he gets back from the store. And Sunday morning he brought me breakfast in bed. So, now I’m on the lookout for a super romantic idea that will knock his socks off! If you have an idea, leave me a comment!

I heard a report the other day about that 77% of women would rather receive a Plasma TV than diamonds.  HUH? Read it here. (it’ll open in a new window, popup blockers off please.)

What do you think? Would you rather have a TV than diamonds? Survey goes on to say 56% would rather have the new TV than a vacation in Florida.  Now that part opens a whole new topic for me (note to self: revisit topic on future post) but still… would you rather have a new TV or a vacation?  I really want to know, so leave me a comment!

So… what have I surmised?  Romance is alive and well.  At least in my house!  It’s the little things. The thoughtful things. Attention to details.  That’s what makes romance what it is. It’s caring more about the other person than yourself because you know they’ll return the favor.  It could be a CD instead of flowers. A TV instead of diamonds.  The point is… thinking of the other person. Loving them, surprising them, doting on them.  And yes… bringing them a fresh, ripe peach.

Now that you know where I’m headed, I’ll bid you a peachy day and I hope you’ll continue to hang out here on my “front porch” and chat for a while.  The comments are always open.  And my “welcome mat” is always in front of the “door.”

Love,

Madison