HAPPY HUNKALICIOUS HALLOWEEN!

Win an e-copy of one of my latest releases, RESURRECTING THE BEAST!
And if you aren't the lucky randomly-selected winner of the e-book, you can win Romance Trading Cards (while supplies last)!

Here's how to enter...

I've decided to go calorie-free this Halloween. I mean, I could hand out small snack packs of carrots. But they're loaded with way too much sugar. And then I could opt for those mini boxes of raisins. But we're back to the sugar issue again. So, why not sending you on a Hunk Hunt for a little exhilirating eye-candy adrenalive rush? Now, you won't be going far or popping all over the Net. I just recently revamped my website, using the Hunks from my romance trading cards... So, all you have to do to win one of my prizes is choose the Hunk you like best from my trading cards, then hop over to my website, find the web page where he's the central eye candy, grab the page's title/url, and...e-mail that information to skhye@skhyemoncrief.com (Just click the E-MAIL SKHYE button there on my website--an option on the upper right transposed over the Hunk on each page when it loads!)

The calorie-free magic expires at midnight CST. So, don't wait to enter!!!

My Big Treat

"Sizzling sex and action that will keep the reader turning the pages." ~Candy, SensualReads.com

An e-copy of RESURRECTING THE BEAST, Book 2 in my WERESCAPE series. Doesn't everyone want to win a werewolf story on Halloween? The book is listed as carnal. But that's because the heroine has sex with the hero in his Wolfskin. And I'm not talking pretty wolf running through the snow...Think traditional werewolves from horror movies. But, hey, he's really awesome. ;) These werewolves are genetically altered by extraterrestrials during an alien invasion of earth. These big scary beasts actually are what's saving the remnant population of humans here on earth. So, the scary part of what they are is really a good thing! Oh, and it's good for the heroine too! *wink*

Treats for all!
I will be giving away Hunk romance trading cards with their heriones while supplies last. They will be awarded to participants in the order in which people enter my Hunk Hunt. And if I run out of eye candy, don't worry. I'll have more on Black Friday! ;) You can hang out with me then for more fun instead of standing in line wishing you were at home. OR stand in line instead with your iPhone, surfing the web to enter my contest!!!

But back to CANDY...

What's your favorite Halloween candy? Mine is Brachs candy corn. My friend just saw a show about candy corn--our uniquely American treat--on CBS. Apparently, Brachs (1880's) and Jelly Belly are the two oldest companies to produce the tasty treat. Jelly Belly was the Goelitz company and produced candy corn as far back as 1898. The manufacturing three-pass process was unique in its day for producing the three colors. And if you line them up between your thumb and first finger (yellow side up), they look just like corn on the cob--which our young farming nation was so familiar with at the time. Cool, eh? And I like candy corn so much that I already had a picture in my photos. LOL Usually, I have to hunt something down. Not for candy corn!

I should warn you that eating a pound of candy corn in half an hour could have negative side effects...

And for the visitor who reads ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF MY POST, here's you some special eye candy. ;) As good as caffeine or sugar any day!

Shhh! I didn't tell our hostess that I had this kind of treat!
Bwa ha ha haaaaaaaa!!! ~Skhye

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Since I started this blog in 2008, I've done something special for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This year has been busy for me personally, so the month snuck up on me, so no blog hopping this month.

But I didn't want the month to go completely away without blogging on something. First, go to The Breast Cancer Site and click for free mammograms.  It's easy and it's free (for you and those who need it).  They are trying to reach 6 million clicks in October and are a couple million short right now!

Second, the breast cancer I've focused on through the years is Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  It is a very aggressive, very deadly disease and one that's easily overlooked.  Check out this video on the disease and make yourself aware, it could save your life. http://youtu.be/3s9_UrVtc6c

Then, click HERE to see what American Cancer Society has to say about it.

Now, for the prize - tell me one of the symptoms of IBC and be eligible for a $20 Barnes and Noble gift card.  I'll draw for a winner on or around November 1, 2011. LEAVE AN EMAIL IF YOU WANT TO ENTER!  NO EMAIL, NO ENTRY!

Anna Kathryn

Wednesday's Chow - PENNE PASTA with ASPARAGUS and PECANS

My guest blogger for Monday, Celia Yeary is offering up a great autumn side dish. 

I obtained this recipe from a Texas Pecan orchard gift shop. East Texas is fertile ground for several varieties of pecans, and where there is an orchard, there is a store and gift shop. On one visit a few years ago, when we bought our sack of shelled pecans, the proprietor included a small booklet of recipes for ways to use pecans. The one I'm sharing is a pasta dish. We love it, but I only make it when fresh asparagus is small and young, and is "on special."

PENNE PASTA with ASPARAGUS and PECANS

Ingredients:

1 TBS olive oil and 1 TBS butter
1 lb. asparagus, cut into 2" pieces
1 yellow and 1 red bell peppers, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
1 3/4 cup chicken broth
1 lb. Penne Pasta, uncooked
1 1/2 TBS minced basil

2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, divided
3/4 cup toasted pecans, divided
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine olive oil and butter in a large skillet; add asparagus and cook and stir until lightly browned, about six minutes.
Stir in peppers and garlic and cook one minute.
Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and pasta and basil.
Simmer 7-9 minutes.
Stir in half the Parmesan cheese and half the pecans.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Transfer to a warm bowl and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and pecans.
YIELD: 4 to 6 servings.

BOOK BLURB FOR: TEXAS PROMISE-Book I of The Cameron Sisters

After two years, Jo Cameron King’s life as a widow abruptly ends when her husband returns home to Austin. Unable to understand her angry and bitter husband, she accepts a call to travel to the New Mexico Territory to meet her dying birth father whom she knows nothing about. Her plan to escape her husband goes awry when he demands to travel with her.

Dalton King, believing lies his Texas Ranger partner tells him about Jo, seethes with hatred toward his wife. Now he must protect Jo from his partner’s twisted mind, while sorting out the truth. Jo’s bravery and loyalty convince him she’s innocent. But can they regain the love and respect they once shared?

BUY LINKS FOR TEXAS PROMISE-Book I-The Cameron Sisters
TEXAS PROMISE

DESERT BREEZE PUBLISHING
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-109/Celia-Yeary-Texas-Promise/Detail.bo k
AMAZON-KINDLE
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Celia+yeary&x=14&y=16

BARNES AND NOBLE
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=BOOK&WRD=celia+yeary&page=&prod=univ&choice=book&query=Celia+Yeary&flag=False&pos=-1&box=Celia+Yeary&box=celia%20yeary&pos=-1&ugrp=2

Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com
http://www.celiayeary.com
http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971

Hooks for Books-by Celia Yeary

 "It was a dark and stormy night…" No, no, never begin a story with the weather. The reader will skip ahead and look for action or characters, or heaven forbid, close the book. Okay, let's see. "I was falling, falling…and then I woke up." Nope, I remember, now, NEVER open a book with a dream--or an alarm clock or phone ringing. What about something really funny? For example, "Nearing the counter with a full tray, her foot slipped on spilled…." Uh, oh. That's on the list of no-no's, too.

Such a list exists, in fact. The admonitions may vary slightly, but editors are programmed to stop reading a submission after the first sentence or first paragraph if she/he sees these red flags. The nineteenth-century Gothic novels opened with long brooding descriptions of the weather, or a monologue recounting the entire genealogy of the family in the story, enough to make one's eyes glaze over.

In today's world, the reader wants and deserves action, the inciting incident, the reason for the story, and he wants it right away. In some manner, the opening sentence or first paragraph or first chapter must give the reader what he wants--"What is this novel about?"

Grabbing the attention of an editor you'd like to impress or a reader you'd like to keep is an art form all its own. Books galore sit on shelves or can be found on-line that help the budding author or the experienced one who wants a refresher course learn a bit more about a good beginning.

I once won a little contest on a blog with the opening line of my first release. First lines from ten romance novels were listed and readers voted on the best opening. This is the winning line (mine): If I'd known running away would be this hot and this dirty, I'd have stayed home. However, what does my first line tell the reader? A woman is running away (from whom and why?), and the woman obviously is a little fastidious. In my humble opinion, this line met the criteria to set up the story. Plus, an editor liked it because she offered me a contract in three weeks.

Here are the beginning lines from four different romance novels.

1. The truth had long been settling on Jonathan Gray, sneaking into his resisting corners, but it had finally resounded in the deepest part of him. (The Fulfillment, LaVyrle Spencer)
2. He'd known all day something was about to go down, something life-changing and entirely new. ( Montana Creeds: Dylan, Linda Lael Miller)
3. Sister Bernadette Ignatius and Tom Kelly sat in the back seat of a black cab, driving from Dublin's airport through the city. (What Matters Most-Luanne Rice)
4. "Rachel! Rachel!" Ella called in the high-pitched panic voice that usually preceded bad news. (Texas Honor-Debra White Smith)

These opening lines come from Best-Selling authors. Do we need to pay closer attention to the novels we read? Go to a bookstore, find a shelf of best-sellers in romance, and open several to study the first page. Just read the first line.

Make a list of the kind of hooks that interest you in a book. Your list may be the same as mine.
1. Attention-getting
2. Exciting
3.Pulls me into the story
4. Straight forward
5. Brief and punchy
6. Rouses curiosity
7. Emotionally charged
8. A declarative sentence

Hooking your reader is not easy, but with a little self-study, you can improve your chances with editors and nail that contract. With your next or current WIP, try writing five opening sentences and ask fellow authors or your critique partners help you select one.

Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com
http://www.celiayeary.com
http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celia-Yeary-Author/208687145867971

Contests and Monthly Prizes

For quite awhile now, I've been giving away monthly prizes on my blog. I never drew a winner for September, so, at the end of this month (or beginning of November, actually), I'll draw two winners: one will win a batch of romance books and a second person will win a copy of WILD, WICKED & WANTON: 101 Ways to Love Like You're a Romance Writer by Christie Craig and Faye Hughes (autographed by Christie).

To be eligible to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on any post done in October. The more comments you leave, the better your chances to win a prize!

And no, he's not a prize!

Anna Kathryn

Apple Punch

I have given up my Wednesday's Chow recipes to guest bloggers, which means I don't post recipes (usually) on my own.  But I found this great punch recipe I wanted to share.  Unfortunatly, I made it for a wake, but it was very well received.  With the holidys just around the corner, I wanted to share it with you all.

Apple Punch


Ingredients

1 (32 fluid ounce) bottle apple juice, chilled
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate
1 cup orange juice
1 1/2 liters ginger ale
1 apple

Directions

In a large punch bowl, combine apple juice, cranberry juice concentrate and orange juice. Stir until dissolved, then slowly pour in the ginger ale.

Thinly slice the apple vertically, forming whole apple slices. Float apple slices on top of punch.

*** I didn't add any alcohol to this punch, but I'm thinking, rum or vodka would be a yummy addition!

The Story Tellers Grove - Donate a Tree

Seanachaidh’s Grove

Scottish Romance Readers, Authors and Publishers

Seamachaidh was the clan tradition bearer, genealogist, historian
and most importantly the storyteller;
a most fitting name
for a grove dedicated by the readers, authors

and publishers
of Scottish Romances and Mysteries.
As trees have played an important role
in the stories we have read, written and published,
here is our chance to give back

to the Scotland we all love.
Donating a tree, about the cost of one paperback,

will help restore
the natural environment and beauty of Scotland.

If you would like to donate a tree to our grove-The Storyteller's Grove-CLICK HERE

Wednesday's Chow - Cheesy Mexican Casserole

Cheesy Mexican Casserole

Ingredients
1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chilies
1 container (8 oz) sour cream
1/2 cup fat-free (skim) milk
2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
8 yellow corn tortillas (6 or 7 inch), torn into bite-size pieces
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend, divided

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix soup, chilies, sour cream and milk until blended. Stir in chicken, tortillas and bell pepper. Stir in tomato and 1 cup of the cheese. Spoon and spread mixture in baking dish.

2. Cover with foil. Bake 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake uncovered 5 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes.

Saturdays Salacious Suggestions - Share Your Blurb

I'm continuing with my invite to authors to post their blurbs for one of their books, and the links to buy them, of course.  Just paste your information as a comment.

I'm at the Northwest Houston Lone Star Conference today, so it'll be later when I check in, but I hope ya'll fill up my comment box!

Anna Kathryn
www.aklanier.com

Join me as post...

at Sweethearts of the West. Why Isn't My Muse Listening to Me?

Anna Kathryn

Wednesday's Chow - Pineapple Angel Food Cake

This week's guest blogger Jerrie Alexander with "Romancing the Serial Killer," has sent in a great cake recipe. Why is it great?  Well, because it's sooooo easy! Here's what Jerrie had to say about it:

Always watching my waistline and feeding my sugar habit, I found a two-ingredient recipe that couldn't be easier or taste better.
Jerrie Alexander

www.jerriealexander.com

Pineapple Angel Food cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:

1- box Angel Food cake mix
1- 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple (in its own juice)

Directions:

Mix well. Yep. That's it. The mix will foam up like a mad scientist's experiment. (My granddaughter loves this part.)

Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam and pour in the mix. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. (Cake will fall as it cooks, but that's normal.)

For something extra, add a little fat free whipped cream to each slice.

Jerrie Alexander
www.jerriealexander.com

Romancing The Serial Killer

by Jerrie Alexander

I'm a native Texan. My husband and I live outside of Fort Worth, where my brother loves to tell people I'm so far out in the country we get Saturday Night Live on Wednesday morning. He's always been the family comedian. I'm the one who digs into the psychology of a killer's mind, trying to balance his evil with romance.

I've been told I'm at my best when I'm in the killer's point of view. If that's true, I believe it's because I've researched properly. It's certainly when I have the most fun! To construct a believable character, I metaphorically put on his or her hat and walk in their shoes. Creeps me out sometimes and has given me a nightmare or two, but realism and motivation are important to the story. And me.

No doubt, if the police ever took a peek at my hard drive, I'd be hauled in for questioning. Because of today's technology, information and insight into the killer's mind is there for the taking. I've downloaded files from FBI profilers, medical reports, bought books from Amazon and studied the different patterns of these troubled minds. As I read, and maybe because they were the hardest to understand, I was drawn to the analyst's description of the sociopath. Their lack of conscience and inability to care or feel compassion for the victim's pain fit my killer's motivation perfectly.

Maybe it was naive to write to the FBI with a list of questions. Imagine my surprise the day my phone rang, and the caller identified himself as a Special Agent. He answered all my questions, gave me his cell number and of all thing...he thanked me. Assured me, the FBI appreciates being written about, and they love it when the author tells the real story of the Agency. Ultimately, I used his information in another story, but his response gave me the courage to park next to a Texas Sheriff's car and strike up a conversation with him. Once he decided I wasn't completely crazy, he was very helpful.

If you're looking for resources here are my favorites.

The Yahoo group CrimeSceneWriter. Here you'll find FBI agents, police officers, EMTs, firefighters, private investigators, forensic specialists, and more, all willing to answer questions.

D.P. Lyle, MD. His blog, www.writersforensicblog.wordpress.com is like going to the library.

Lee Lofland. His blog, The Graveyard Shift, www.leelofland.com/wordpress gives insight and examples of his past police experiences.

My ace-in-the-hole is a retired Navy SEAL who answers all my questions about things that go boom. He's a real life hero, who still doesn't know he is one.

When The Green Eyed Doll is released, (I don't have a date yet) by The Wild Rose Press - in their Crimson Rose line, my readers will make the final analysis. Did I bring my killer to life? Was he sinister and believable? If so, my research paid off.

Many thanks to Anna Kathryn for hosting me today!

Jerrie Alexander
www.jerriealexander.com

Saturday's Salacious Suggestions

Oops, Saturday almost got away from me without posting this. As I did last week, I'm inviting authors to post their blurb and links to purchase book.  Hope you find something new to read!

BTW, I'm in San Antonio on a mini-vacation. I came up for the San Antonio Romance Authors meeting were Rhonda Penders, co-owner of The Wild Rose Press, spoke.  I had a nice lunch with the SARA members and then came back to my hotel for a nap. Then I went to The Chart House restaurant at the top of the Towers of the Americas. Then joined several SARA members for a ghost tour of San Antonio.

Anna Kathryn

Wednesday's Chow - Pumpkin Soup

Monday's Guest Blogger Alisha Paige, Craziest Halloween Book Signing Ever, has given us a great autumn recipe today.

 Halloween Pumpkin Soup

1 large onion, diced medium
3 stalk celery, diced medium
2 carrots, diced medium
1 large leek, diced medium
2 cups fresh pumpkin

Or 2 cups canned if in a hurry
6 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of clove
pinch of nutmeg
salt, to taste

• Add all ingredients into a stock pot over medium high heat.
• Bring to boil and reduce to simmer.
• Simmer for 20 minutes (until pumpkin and carrots are tender) and remove from heat.
• Let cool for 15 minutes.
• Puree soup in blender and return to pot.

Alisha Paige lives in the Deep South. She writes romantic paranormal, fantasy, contemporary romance, time travel romance, erotica and vintage historical. Her favorite things are red wine, dark chocolate, hot summer nights and girls' night out. To find out more about her books and upcoming releases, visit Alisha Paige at www.alishapaige.com.

Craziest Halloween Book Signing Ever by Alisha Paige!

As the leaves begin to turn and fall from the trees, I generally do more book signings because of the simple fact that I'm a paranormal author. Sometimes I may do four to five signings in October.

Well, last year I was asked to sign books at a wine shop in my hometown on Halloween afternoon! Coolest! I'd get to sign books, wear my silly witch hat and drink wine with other wine drinkers who might just get tipsy enough to stroll over and talk to the goofy witch and maybe, just maybe buy a book. My book signing was scheduled for a couple of hours and I'd have time to run home, grab my three little goblins and head out the door for trick or treating! Awesome! I was all set! I had my books lined up on my spooky Halloween table cloth, wine in hand, witch hat on and I was ready for my fans. Well...I think my only fan for the first hour or so was the cricket in the corner. BTW, it didn't help that the wine shop owner forgot to advertise my signing with the adorable posters I'd sent her. Nice...sigh.

So, I was there, burning up in a long witch dress, pointy witch hat and gold eye lashes longer than the Mississippi River. After a while a group of young women come in and sit at a nearby table and order lots of wine and cheese. Cool. Drink up, girls and mosey on over here. Come buy my Jack-the-Ripper Tale. Please! I'm lonely and my wine glass is empty. So, a few minutes pass and the wine shop owner comes to my table and leans over to whisper in my ear. "You about ready to do some readings?"

I swear my fake eyelashes hit my forehead! Readings? What readings? "Uh...readings?"

The lady's mouth falls open. "Yes. Readings. You said you were a paranormal author."

Uh..yeah, lady. I write about paranormal stuff...in the romance fiction world that means I write about vampires, werewolves, other-worldly stuff...ghosts..maybe..but I sure as hell don't talk to them. I DON'T see dead people. Ever.

"That's right. I'm a paranormal author. I write mostly werewolf books. Paranormal is a genre, not to be confused with paranormal activity."

The lady is not pleased. Her lips pucker and she stares at me with Lucille Ball eyeballs! "That table of women are all expecting readings!"

I lean over and say, "Are you telling me I need to give them readings, as in psychic?"

She nods.

"But I'm not a fortune teller."

She just stares and stomps her foot for a full minute, then says in an icy tone, "I think you should read for them."

"I can do that. I'll just fake it."

She smiles. Sort of. "Good. I'll tell them you're ready."

Holy crap! I can't believe I have to read for these people! I'm not a damn psychic! But I remember back to a psychic fair I went to with my good friend and remember all the psychics who read for me. I can do this. Just fake it. Tell them a bunch of happy bull crap! They're drunk! They won't know! Just do it! So the first girl rushes up, all excited and I ask for her hand. Hell! I don't even remember what all these lines stand for. I think this long one is the life line and then the love line...wow..uh..okay..here goes.

"Looks like you have had two very interesting romantic relationships. Both of them were very dear to your heart."

The girl nods and whispers. "Wow. You can see that?"

"Sure. See that line there? That's the love line. See how it breaks off into two here and then a third line, it goes to the end of your hand. That's your soulmate."

She giggles. I feed her some more bullcrap and she leaves all giddy and happy. Hell yeah! I can do this. The next girl comes up and I change it up a bit but say some more happy sunshine crapola and she trots off happy as a lark too. A line forms. I see like twenty women before the night is over and half of them tip me five bucks!

And I don't sell a single book. The wine shop lady rushes over as I'm making my way to the door and thanks me for a great night! "Can you come do this next Halloween?"

"Sure. Call me."

I walk to my car and toss my box of unsigned books into the back of my car and slide behind the wheel before glancing at my reflection in the rear view mirror and winking with golden eyelashes and giggling to myself. I drive off and floor it home, excited about dressing up my little ones for a night of trick or treating.

Happy Halloween!
~Alisha Paige

www.alishapaige.com