Whooo hooooo! Surge is out!

Bloodlines 6: Surge released late last night. Yay! I'm so excited to get to share Roc and Cheyenne with everyone. Roc is super sexy.

This story does standalone. I consider those who have read the previous books to get "extras" because characters from the previous books do appear in Surge.

Blurb: Sexy dreams haunt the vampire Cheyenne as she struggles with her schizophrenia. Her call awakens the man from her dreaming. Only he’s not a man. He's Marroc. The first vampire ever made who took to ground a thousand years ago where he's simmered, feeding on souls and dreaming of Cheyenne, dreaming of taking her for his own.

When she releases him with her call, Roc goes to find Cheyenne, sure she is “the one” to help him defeat his enemy. She recognizes him from her dreams, and after a wild bout of sex, he discovers that her orgasms give him a surge of power. Orgasms with Roc also have a benefit for Cheyenne: they make her sane.

When one of her friends is taken by Roc's enemy, both Roc and Cheyenne will stop at nothing to get her back. The surge of sex gives them both what they've longed for. But can they have enough sex to survive the fight, and keep them together in the end?

To read an excerpt.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen

Where Sensuality and Wonder collide

http://www.mechelearmstrong.com/

http://www.collector-series.com/

The future's never been so sexy

http://www.melanylogen.com

Authors after Dark Paranormal Weekend

I'm still deconstructing the weekend that I spent in Suffern, NY. I almost lost my voice and have developed an annoying cough, so still am not 100%well but better than I was last week for sure.

I really think this con is going to grow and I can't really wait to see how it develops over the coming years. This was the very first one. Heh, I can say I attended. It was small. But oh, the energy that flowed through it was tangible. Amazing. The charity raffle had SO many prizes. And it raised over $1500 for Pets Alive, an amazing animal rescue organization.

The atmosphere was casual and intimate. I liked that. I wish I were an extrovert at those times, but I enjoyed sitting down with people and chatting. Did so with both readers and other authors, which was nice. I sometimes don't feel I get to meet people at other cons because you are running to places or have something else going on.

What else? ...the food was amazing. Everyone commented on how good the food was for a convention. They had worked hard to ensure that there were vegetarian choices at every meal.

Actually, the buzz I heard from everyone on Sunday morning was that this was a GREAT Con. There was tons of swag, giveaways, baskets, etc. Several mentioned the intimate nature of the weekend and how really good that was.

The book signing was incredible. Had a lot of people stop by and say hi. And many got my books signed *Grins*, which always just thrills me.

Another author was talking to me and talked about how people had come up to say they'd read her books and how wonderful it felt. She said, "I guess you're used to that." I was quick to say, "I'm not. And I don't think I ever will be." I'm always blown away when a person comes up and says they read me and how much they love my books. Always. I want to simultaneously cry and jump hug them at the same time. Love them and squeeze them and call them George...*ahem*. Honestly, it means the world to me that people read me and enjoy my stories.

Two highlights of many from the signing, one very nice woman had every single book of mine for me to sign. She also took a picture with me. Yeah that made my day! LOL. I also had one of the Pets Alive volunteers buy a book of mine and come get it signed. Yay!

I also had the pleasure to sit at a table with and talk to the book seller, Melissa from Paperbacks N'Things. Awesome awesome lady. She loves books and it shows. If only I were closer to Michigan... I may have to find a way to do a signing there... One day.

Let's see, Jacquelyn Frank, who was the host of the event, was incredible. She had so much energy. My roomie and friend, Ann, introduced us and Jackie hugged me. Thanked me for participating. I'm not sure what I thought she would be like, I'd never met her, but she was very laid back and down to earth. Not to mention, funny as could be.

I sat a table a couple of times with Jennifer Armintrout, who I rather enjoyed talking to. She's a fascinating person. I bought one of her books and can't wait to start it. Also sat with Rosemary Laurey one night and so enjoyed her talk at the vampire panel, I bought a book of hers (as Georgia Evans). She cracks me up as well with her humor.

I also enjoyed meeting/seeing Jill, Lindsey, Dawn, Melissa (yes she deserves two mentions), Pam, Kayleigh Jamison, Samantha Sommersby, Selena Illyria, Eliza Gayle, Mima (who had the most incredible costume at the Masquerade), Diana Castilleja, Joey Hill, Woowoo, Froggy, and gosh so many more. I didn't catch some names, but recognized a lot of faces from RT.

Oh yes, can't forget Stella and Audra Price. Stella has so much energy and bounce. She's like a little fireball. I could sit and listen to Audra talk all day. Love her accent.

Thanks to Ann for being a good navigator and roomie! Yes, Larissa shall come to the next one...

LOL for the drive, my hubby got a GPS. He's tired of me getting lost, quite frankly. So Magellan became my new traveling companion. Took us up to Suffern one way and back home another...still haven't figured that out. The most memorable sight, going through a cemetery on a highway. Cemetery on both sides. I've never seen a one split like that.

Definitely a neat weekend and well done conference. If you didn't make this year's, book it for next year. I think it's going to be the end of September next year.

May the muses have good cons
Mechele

Friday Five

1. I have a new pretty. A new cover for Bloodlines 6: Surge. I'm so excited by this story. Love Cheyenne and Roc. It is a story that stands alone but definitely has some extras for those who have read previous books. I love April Martinez. The cover definitely rocks!

2. Have a new banner to go with the cover

3. Am going to the Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend. Hopefully this will post while I'm driving up to NY! I'm so excited. I hope to have a lot of dark tales.

4. I've been posting all over the place. At the Authors of Erotic Romance on the Authors AFter Dark Paranormal Weekend, at Trampy Vamps on vampire slayers, and the Loose change blog on good news. A lot of it posted here but in more detail.

5. I'm ready for Halloween! I have candy, the house is decked out, Snoopy is up. Bring on the tricks and treats!

May the muses have dark weekends

Mechele

Visit Bitten by Books today!

My contest prize of a $10 gift certificate to Loose Id is live. Stop by for details on how to win!

Mechele

Friday Five

1. I survived camping! Whooo hooo! Had a lot of fun, too. The girls did archery, canoeing, a hike, painted a pumpkin, did a ropes course, performed a song in front of the camp, and trick or treated. Twas a nice time. Even though...

2. we were apparently exposed to H1N1. LOL. Eek. I haven't been feeling great this week (which is why I haven't updated before now...sorry), but am not running a fever so assume I don't have it. The oldest is home today with what might be it or just a run of the mill virus. Don't know yet. She's playing Xbox so she's not dying or anything.

3. I did line edits on Settler's Mine: The Man, turned them in and immediately received proofing edits on Blood Lines: Surge. Extensive proofing edits. The story is definitely a lot stronger for it. I'm excited, it shall be coming out soon!

4. I leave in a week for the Authors After Dark Paranormal Conference. Eek! I have a lot to do.

5. Halloween Snoopy is up, along with the rest of the outside stuff! I need to finish decking out for Halloween. May do that later today. We went to a pumpkin patch so have our pumpkins. Whoo hooo!

May the muses have good editors
Mechele

Friday Five

1. I'm done with the heavy writing on Another Dream, Another Reality. Now begins the clean up process...

2. I have edits on Settler's Mine: The Man. I'm reading it and LOL granted I'm biased, but I really like the story. Few of my characters come with songs. For some reason, Colton likes Tom Petty.

3. I'm going camping this weekend. Platform tents. The rain chances are diminishing and the temperature has gone up for Sat night. Think it is going to be a lot of fun. The oldest still wants me around, which is nice. I know the time is coming where she won't. I try to take advantage of being with her now. It's already a lot different between oldest and youngest and their desires for my presence.

4. Don't forget about the October contests I'm participating in. I'm all over the place LOL.

5. I'm officially addicted to Castle. Didn't intend on watching it the last two weeks when it aired but wound up doing so. I was already a Nathan Fillion fan and this show has definitely sealed the deal. I rather like the writing, too. And the author aspect.

May the muses have contests
Mechele

Banned Books Week--who decides?

Who decides what you are going to read? You? Suppose someone thought a book was so dangerous that no one should read it. No one. Removing it from a school library, then a public library might be a first step.

But suppose after that simple step, they took it further. They outlawed the book. It's a slippery slope from challenging a book in school to an outright ban.

One of the first thing the Nazis did when they took over was burn books. They wanted to control ideas.

That sentiment still exists today in people who would like to take out any books from circulation because they don't agree with the sentiment contained within the covers.

Free people read freely.

Read a banned book. See what ideas others thought were so dangerous they needed to pull this book for everyone.

Mechele

PS In case you haven't gotten enough of me writing about Banned Books Week, pop over to TRS and read more. I posted a personal story of how I dealt with my child bringing home a book that I worried might be inappropriate for them.

Friday Five-Banned Books Week

My favorite banned books authors:

Stephen King
Judy Blume
Katherine Paterson
JK Rowling
Maurice Sendak


My favorite banned books

Salem's Lot by Stephen King
The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
Deenie by Judy Blume
Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison


Favorite ways to celebrate banned books week

Visit a library
Read a Banned Book
Read a Banned Book to my kidlets
Buy a banned book from the bookstore
Read about an author whose book has been challenged

Banned Books Week-Most challenged authors

2008:

Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Philip Pullman,

Lauren Myracle,

Jim Pipe,

Alvin Schwartz,

Chris Crutcher,

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,

Rudolfo Anaya,

Stephen Chbosky,

Cecily Von Ziegesar

2007:

Robert Cormier,

Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson,

Mark Twain,

Toni Morrison,

Philip Pullman,

Kevin Henkes,

Lois Lowry,

Chris Crutcher,

Lauren Myracle,

Joann Sfar

2006:

Chris Crutcher,

Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell,

Toni Morrison,

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,

Cecily von Ziegesar,

Carolyn Mackler,

Alvin Schwartz,

Stephen Chbosky,

Alex Sanchez,

Judy Blume

2005:

Judy Blume,

Robert Cormier,

Chris Crutcher,

Robie Harris,

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,

Toni Morrison,

J. D. Salinger,

Lois Lowry,

Marilyn Reynolds

Sonya Sones.

2004:

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,

Robert Cormier,

Judy Blume,

Toni Morrison,

Chris Lynch,

Barbara Park,

Gary Paulsen,

Dav Pilkey,

Maurice Sendak

Sonya Sones.

2003:

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,

J. K. Rowling,

Robert Cormier,

Judy Blume,

Katherine Paterson,

John Steinbeck,

Walter Dean Myers,

Robie Harris,

Stephen King

Louise Rennison.

2002:

J.K. Rowling,

Judy Blume,

Robert Cormier,

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,

Stephen King,

Lois Duncan,

S.E. Hinton,

Alvin Schwartz,

Maya Angelou,

Ronald Dahl,

Toni Morrison.

2001:

J. K. Rowling,

Robert Cormier,

John Steinbeck,

Judy Blume,

Maya Angelou,

Robie Harris,

Gary Paulsen,

Walter Dean Myers,

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,

Bette Greene