Jaci Burton’s Muse

A couple weeks ago Dear Author posted a few of my favorite authors has signed on to do an anthology together. (Congrats again, Nalini, Meljean and Ilona!). Then they asked what would be your dream anthology to read…in other words, what authors would you like to see together in one book?

We had some fun that day. As a writer, I of course had to put myself in the mix, and decided I’d love to be in any book with Nora (what writer wouldn’t? ). I think a romantic suspense anthology with Nora Roberts, Linda Howard and Allison Brennan would be great! As long as I could be in it too. Heh. (Hey, I always dream big. Nothing wrong with that, right?)

And I’d love to do a paranormal anthology with Meljean Brook, Nalini Singh, Lara Adrian, Gena Showalter, Sydney Croft, JR Ward, Jackie Kessler, Richelle Mead….hmmm, this list could get really long.

I’ve always wanted to do another anthology with my friend Lora Leigh. But her schedule and mine haven’t meshed well enough to figure out how to do that yet. We did one together several years ago when we were both writing for Ellora’s Cave. I’d love to do one with her again someday. We frequently talk about it still. Maybe we’lll figure out how to get our schedules in sync so it could happen. I’d also love to do a hot and sexy anthology with HelenKay Dimon, Julie Leto, Carly Phillips, Janelle Denison, Leslie Kelley, Allison Kent, Jill Monroe…well that list could go on and on…

And of course one of these days my BB’s Melani Blazer, Mandy Roth, Shannon Stacey and I will write that anthology about the silver shovel. (Really….don’t ask)

I’m such a huge fan of so many authors. Being in the same book with them would be an honor. I really do love anthologies as a reader, too. They give me a chance to read new authors I haven’t read yet, along with some of my favorites. I’ve found a lot of new authors this way and fallen in love with their writing.

So what’s your dream anthology? Who would you love to see partner up in one book for your reader enjoyment?

We have five dogs. The smallest is Bella, at 9 lbs. Half Maltese and half miniature Dachsund.

Bella thinks she’s pretty fierce though, especially when she thinks there’s a mole in the backyard.

Today she went digging for one. She went digging pretty deep, came in covered in mud that hung off her like dreadlocks:

She had it on her paws all the way up to her body, too. It took me 15 minutes just to wash the clumps of mud off her before I could even begin using soap to bathe her.

I was most unhappy.

Good thing she’s cute. (Don’t fall for the “Who Me?” innocent act. You should see the holes in the backyard!)

A couple books releasing today from some awesome authors!

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First, from the brilliant and oh so talented pens of coauthors Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler, writing as Sydney Croft is Unleasing The Storm, book two in their ACRO erotic paranormal series. I got an early peek at this book and it’s tremdous. Hot, sexy, romantic, filled with nonstop action and adventure. Kira and Ender have so much animal passion I might have growled when I read this book. You don’t want to miss it!

And the amazingly talented HelenKay Dimon proves that the contemorary romance is alive and well with Right Here Right Now. HelenKay writes fun, sexy romantic contemporaries. I can’t wait to read this one!

I love Tuesday book release day, don’t you?

Had an interesting weekend.

Saturday I went to the Clinique counter and bought makeup

Sunday I went to the gun show and bought a Kel-Tek 3-AT 380 pistol

Yes, I’m diverse.

I actually had to ask this morning what day it was. Think it’s been a long week?

For all you writers out there, have you signed up for the 70 Day Writing Challenge yet? Come on, Sweat with Sven. You know you want to. I’m one of the sponsors again, along with Shiloh Walker, Lauren Dane, HelenKay Dimon, Diana Peterfreund, Larissa Ione and Portia Da Costa. It’s fun to suffer en masse. It begins on March 1st so there’s still time to sign up. I’ve actually already started with my self-imposed 2000 words a day writing goal. I’ve hit that goal every day so far, though some days it’s late into the night before I hit it. But I have deadlines. Ugly deadlines. In order to meet those deadlines I know exactly how much I have to write every day to have each book finished within a certain time period. For The Darkest Temptation, the Demon Hunters book I’m working on now, it’s 2000 words a day. No excuses. I can’t wait for the challenge to begin so others will suffer with me.

Admittedly, hitting 2000 words a day isn’t that difficult for me. I’m just easily distracted by shiny things, like blog hopping, General Hospital, chatting online with friends, reality TV. Plus there always seems to be a million other things I need to do besides writing. I’m judging an RWA contest for example. That takes time. And I’m always working on promotion angles for my books, both current and upcoming. Did I mention television? I love television. This season for some reason I’m really hooked on reality tv. I love American Idol, of course, found the first week kind of meh as far as the talent. I also love Project Runway, Make Me A Supermodel, can’t wait for America’s Next Top Model to start again (I didn’t miss it did I?), and don’t even get me started on all the fun shows on TruTV, like Cops, The Investigators and Forensic Files. Um, I call all those ‘research’.

I know, I know. Less TV, more hitting word count goal. . Now that the writer’s strike is over, I’m going to be royally screwed when my favorite shows come back. I might as well give up sleeping.

Are you a tv watcher? Are you hooked on any reality tv like me? If so, what? If not, what do you watch? Tell me I’m not alone in my addiction.

Oh, and does anyone besides me watch General Hospital? I have so much to bitch about with the current storylines…..

Off to make word count for the day. Shiny things are calling to me.

If you didn’t get a chance to join me and listen in to Raven Radio yesterday, you can listen in to the entire podcast here.

Apparently we had bad crackling (no, not cackling, though I’m sure there was some of that. ). And because of the poor sound quality and some glitches with Blogtalk Radio, we didn’t get a chance to get to the callers or online Q&A, so Mandy and Michelle have graciously offered to let me guest again in June! I had so much fun! Can’t wait to do it again.

Thanks Mandy and Michelle!

And hey, if you listen in and have any questions for me, feel free to post them here! I’ll answer.

Today I’ll be live on Raven Radio with my friends and fellow authors Mandy Roth and Michelle Pillow! It’s a live call in radio show, so if you want to participate. call in or you can use the live chat feature to type questions. It should be a blast, so please come join us!

Wild, Wicked, Wanton NY Author Jaci Burton joins Mandy and Michelle to talk books, sexy men on Harley’s, demon islands, the paranormal and whatever else we can rope her into! Find out about her new release Riding Wild from Berkley Heat!

There is also a LIVE chat during the shows. Follow the link below and look for CHAT LIVE buttons! You can type your questions or comments in there during the chat and we’ll ask/answer them on air!

Link here for live chat

Also author Shelley Bradley is spotlighting me today. Head over and take a peek for a chance to win prizes! Link here

I’m also blogging at Writeminded today, talking about Collectibles (and Elmer, my new lawn gnome. Come join me) Link here

I’m everywhere today!

I’ve wanted a lawn gnome for 2 years now. (no, really I did).

I finally got one yesterday for my birthday from Biker Dude.

Meet Elmer.

Isn’t he adorable?

Using random.org, the birthday prize winner is:

TEZ MILLER!

Congrats Tez! Email me at jaci @ jaciburton. com and let me know which of my books you’d like.

Thanks so much to everyone who posted. You helped make my birthday so special.

Today is my birthday! When you get to my age, you’d rather avoid them, but the damn things come around every year anyway. But hey, the way I look at it is, I’d rather have the birthday than be dead.

So let’s celebrate today! And we’re going to celebrate by me giving you a gift. Pretty cool how that works, huh?

My family and I went out to eat Saturday night at a Japanese restaurant (it’s kind of a tradition). I love hibachi cooking. Yummm. We had a great time. Tonight we’re doing pizza and cake. Hey, I love those long birthday celebrations that drag the birthday out for a long time, ya know? Today I’ll make a birthday cake. And yeah, I make my own cake. I like home made cakes, not store bought ones, and really don’t mind making my own.

One person who posts on my blog today will win their choice of any of my books. Anything. (well, as long as the book has been released). Print book, e-book, whatever you’d like. All you have to do is tell me what you like most about birthdays. Is it getting presents, cake, being with family, going out to dinner, feeling special? My favorite part is getting my family together. And now that #1 son and his family are living out here, this birthday is very special to me.

Now your turn. I’ll draw the winner tomorrow.