New Book!

Cassie Mills runs afoul of an outdated and rarely enforced law when she decides to host Pleasure Parties. Reed Stevens is working undercover on the vice squad, not his favorite assignment, especially when he's assigned to what he considers fluff duty, cracking down on the home party sex toy business.

Cassie faces her greatest fear--what will her mother think?--and her aunt's Bridge Club. Reed faces a jealous and unstable partner, his ex-wife and her new love, and the wrath of Cassie's supporters. Neither one is prepared for the day when their professional paths cross. Shock, feelings of betrayal, lust, and love all intermingle until neither one is sure who is right and who is wrong.

Sparks fly both in the bedroom and out, and ultimately they must choose between jobs and love.

Available now at Smashwords.com, and coming soon to Amazon Kindle.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/65744

If you read Undercover Vices, or if you've read Double Exposure (available at www.eredsage.com or Amazon Kindle), please post a review. Thanks!

It's football time again!

It's been a busy three weeks as the hubby and I have been exploring the possibility of starting our own photography company. We've finally settled on a name, Delle Jacobs is working on a logo for us, and tomorrow we go to the courthouse to register the name and get our tax permit. Will continue the day (well, actually, night) job for a while until we've accumulated the equipment we need and some savings to hold us for a bit, but I'm really ready to handle my own reins and decide where I'll go and when.

I think once we're away from this soul-sucking job, I might even get my creativity back. I need to get back to my writing.

http://dellejacobs.com/

Just a shout out about this blog design. It was created by my talented friend Delle Jacobs. You can visit her website at http://dellejacobs.com/ where you'll find not only more of her wonderful design skills at work, but you'll see she's a fabulous author as well. If you need a book cover design or some help spicing up your blog, contact Delle. If you're looking for great Regency stories, check out her books too.

A friend sent me this as a reminder of what I was called to do. It's from Madalyn Aslan's horoscopes for last week.

If a film is done right, it has the power to inspire and motivate just about anyone. I recently watched a movie with my kids called Sister Act II, a flick that can inject hope in almost any naysayer. Something Whoopi Goldberg said made me pause and reflect for a long time. I still think about her words today, enough that I am sharing them now with you. She said, “If you wake up in the morning and all you can think about is singing, then you are a singer.” This movie spoke volumes about passion and inherent gifts and the true beauty and freedom in expressing them. You either have the music in you or you don’t. In these powerful times, your Soul wants nothing more than to express its own unique individuality, to care not about what other people might think and to set a trend in doing what feels most natural to you. There is more in you that is dying to come out Sag, far more, and the current cosmic climate is going to help you go about making that happen.When you wake up in the morning, and all you can think about is...?

This is just the beginning.

Okay, I'm not a Sagittarius (I even had to look it up to spell it right), and I'm not really a singer though I love music. What I am is a writer. Or at least I used to be. But rejections, loss of momentum with agents and editors from not being able to afford conferences, sapped energy from a difficult, stressful job, all combined to grind my writing to a halt. Well, there's an occasional trickle, but the days of sitting down and writing a 75,000 word book in 6 weeks seem like a long ago dream.

But, I think about it every single day. I yearn for the days when the words and ideas flowed. I ache for the time to sit down and get into a story and not surface until I'm so exhausted and hungry I just can't type another sentence. I tell myself "someday."

So when is "someday?" Today? Tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Something tells me that someday had better start right now or it will all slip away forever.

This will be a difficult week for me. It's the week of the Romance Writer's of America conference in Orlando. I haven't been to conference since 2004, so I've lost all the momentum I had going with editors and agents, but the worst part is missing the friends I haven't seen in years. I wanted to go. I NEEDED to go. But there were other things more important to do here and, with the economy, well, the money just wasn't there.

Several friends have been nominated for Rita awards, so I'll be cheering them on from home. In my pj's, drink in hand, instead of dressed to the nines. I'll miss Disneyworld. I'll miss Florida, one of my favorite states.

To all of you lucky enough to be going, have enough fun for two, will ya?

Happy Birthday, America!

On this Independence Day, it might be good to reflect on what this day really stands for. It's not just a great day for family barbecues and fireworks, but a day to celebrate the birth of the greatest nation on earth. Or what was once the greatest nation.

July 4th, 1776, was the day the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Have you ever read it? Or have you read it since high school Civics class? If not, you can do so here:
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/doi/text.html

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.

If you read the list of grievances that follow this powerful statement, you'll see many are being committed by our own president. I wonder, then, when the American people will once again say "enough!" and declare Independence from the current oppression?

Wow, has it really been that long?

More than a year since I was here last. Hubby and I have been crazy busy with work, kids, home fix-ups. Writing has been pushed aside, neglected. I did dust off Undercover Vices and submitted it one place. Haven't heard back yet. But I have so many books that are either complete or nearly complete and just need some rewriting, polishing, finishing up...

I have the next few weeks off, all the company leaves tomorrow, so there are no more excuses.

Well, the house still needs painting...

In sunny California!

Our youngest graduates from college tomorrow and our oldest son is getting married in two weeks, so dh and I are in Sunny California for a 3 week visit. It's beautiful out here, especially after enduring weeks of non-stop rain back home.

We took a back-country trip on the way out so Tony could get some new pictures. Amazing scenery, book research (yay me!), and time away from the constant rejection known as sales work...this trip couldn't have come at a more perfect time.

I miss my dogs, but I am getting reports from the family members who are taking care of things back home, so hopefully my fur babies will survive the separation without too much trauma.

Got this in my email today...

The Editor's Choice winner will be posted this weekend at http://manicreaders.com/

Stay tuned....

Manic Readers Contest voting open

I have an entry up on the Manic Reader's contest site. The top 2 entries each week get read by a NAL editor. If you have a few minutes, please go vote! My entry is number 3. Once you've read and voted for your favorite 2 entries, please come back and let me know what you think about mine--good, bad, or ugly. It's the black moment scene in the book.

One set of taxes done!

Finally got my own taxes finished and sent off. I love Turbo Tax! Now I just have to do my youngest's taxes and help the youngest son with his.

Got my first royalty statement (and check. Yay!) Not as much as I'd hoped, but way more than I expected. LOL.

Just one more week of "volunteer" work (where it costs you almost as much in gas as you make on the job). Working for commission only sucks in this economy. And having people treat you like you're trying to rob them when you're only trying to make a living sucks even worse. But starting next week, we'll be in a place where we might actually not only make enough to pay the bills, we might even make enough to retire some of this mountain of debt. Once that's done we might be able to help the two kids who were laid off from their jobs recently and the one who still hasn't found a job and maybe even the one who's still in college.

And then there's that lottery ticket I bought yesterday....

Now What?

I've finished rewriting the new book. It isn't a sexy book, so Red Sage isn't an option. It's barely even a romance, though there are some relationships forming. But there's no sex in it. It's somewhat suspense, somewhat adventure, somewhat fantasy. It doesn't fit in any neat pigeonholes, so I have no idea even how to go about querying on it. I can't figure out how to describe it. The characters are mostly Native American, but it's contemporary, not historical. They have some psychic powers, they're members of a special super-secret private black ops team who spend their time shutting down illegal military operations.

I may have to publish this one myself on Amazon for the Kindle.

Haven't Posted in Months

My DH and I have been on the road for weeks now. We haven't been home in five weeks, and I miss my dogs something awful. Right now we're in California, near LA. I love the weather, but don't much like the city. Outlying areas are okay, but the traffic is non-stop and everything costs nearly double what it does at home. I'll be so glad to head towards home this weekend.

Wonder if my dogs miss me as much as I miss them?

While we're here, I'm doing research on a book I wrote last year but never got back to it to rewrite. I'm going to make that priority number one when I get home--get that book rewritten and start sending out queries. At least now I have a good feel for the area and some pictures for inspiration--like the ones below.

4 Angel Review

You can read the full review at http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2008/September/Dawnie-DoubleExposure.htm

"Lingerie, lust, and one hot male model make for an enjoyable story. Lacy is a character that is easy to identify with. She is strong, confident, and naughty. She knows her mind and sticks with her choices. Her sexual inventiveness is downright outrageous. Gabe is sexy, strong, and has a hint of mystery about him. The sexual chemistry is combustible. The couple faces conflicts that add depth to the story. Plenty of fun with a great amount humor, the story keeps the reader interested. Ms. Scott has a knack for telling a story. I look forward to reading more by this talented author."

Thanks, Dawnie, for the great review!

Press Release update

I've seen the press release several places online so far, but the most exciting was to see it in the Yahoo Financial News! Have any of you seen it yet, other than here?

Still no reviews. Might have to change the contest if some don't start showing up soon.

This has really been a tough week at work. I have to wonder how some people live with themselves, considering how they treat others. But you have to let it roll off and keep on working or you'll go crazy.

Contest! Win a copy of Double Exposure.

I've been trying to come up with a contest. Since I've looked high and low all over the web and can't find a review of Double Exposure, I'll give a PDF ARC of the book to the first person who finds--or posts--a review for Double Exposure and sends me a link to the review.

Tori

Press Release

My editor is brilliant. She just sent out the following press release and I'm excited to see what kind of response and exposure we get from it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

E-Books Provide Hidden Benefits to Readers
Says Bible Belt Author of Erotic Romances

Author Offers Insight into Why Romance Readers Are Secretly Flocking to E-Books

“Being from a small town in the Bible belt, I appreciate the fact that Red Sage e-books let my readers shop in total privacy without worrying about who might find out what they're reading."

“I can buy 4 e-books for what I would spend on gas alone. "

In DOUBLE EXPOSURE (Red Sage Publishing, on sale August 1, 2008), the newest short novel in the Red Sage Presents line of hit e-books, newcomer Tori Scott writes about a romantic couple who expose their skin for a lingerie catalog photo shoot even while they must struggle to hide their identities. This delicate balance between exposure and secrecy is familiar to romance writers and readers alike.
In a candid interview, the Golden Heart-nominated Texas author talks about her inspiration for DOUBLE EXPOSURE and the compelling reasons that make erotic romance e-books an underground success:

Tori, you are releasing a short contemporary erotic romance novel that touches upon an important issue in many readers’ lives: the tension between private behavior and public opinion. Can you draw a correlation between your characters, your readers, and you?

There's certainly a parallel here between the fictional and real worlds. The heroine in DOUBLE EXPOSURE, Lacy Fitzgerald, is being pressured to give up her career aspirations and be a “good girl,” to enter a loveless marriage and become a model wife and mother. Instead, Lacy becomes another kind of model -- a lingerie model for her new, high-end lingerie design business. Even though it’s a perfectly respectable business, she is mocked and scorned by many people who should be cheering for her success, and her model partner, hero Gabe Wallace, lies about his identity so that people in their Texas town won’t know that he’s posing for pictures in his briefs. Even though most people wear undergarments, Lacy and Gabe must struggle to come to terms with public prejudice against lingerie.

Writing and reading erotic romance can draw a similar response from people. This is a huge business with a vast readership, yet readers have been complaining about romance covers for decades because they don’t want the public to see them carrying one of “those books.”

E-books help us get around that problem, and that’s probably one of the reasons that romance e-books sales estimates claim about half of the overall e-books market. I'm excited about Red Sage's new e-book program because I'm an avid online shopper. I prefer to download my books rather than driving thirty miles to the nearest bookstore where I have to search for the book I want, then wait in line, book in hand, to buy it. I can buy four books for what I would spend on gas alone, and nobody knows what I’ve bought.

I've loved Red Sage books since I got my hands on my first Secrets volume at a writers’ conference. Being one of Red Sage's authors is a dream come true. And being from a small town in the Bible belt, I appreciate the fact that Red Sage ebooks let my readers shop in total privacy without worrying about who might find out what they're reading.

About Red Sage Publishing
Before there were e-books, before there was something labeled "erotic romance," there was Red Sage. The first Secrets anthology was released in 1995 and caught on with readers immediately. It's still in print to this day, as are all the other Secrets volumes released since then. The staying power of these anthologies is a testament to their quality.

In 2007, Red Sage launched Red Sage Presents, a new line of e-books destined for the same level of success as the Secrets volumes. Available at its proprietary website and other e-book distribution outlets, these stories have proven to be every bit as popular as the print books. Within weeks of their availability at Fictionwise, Red Sage presents authors had captured the number one spot in their category and had placed two additional titles in the top ten, with several more climbing the charts each week.

About Author Tori Scott
Tori Scott has always loved to read, especially anything with even a hint of romance. Over the years, Nancy Drew and Cherry Ames gave way to Sandra Brown and Nora Roberts, and Tori was hooked on romance. Her husband, a professional photographer, has given Tori plenty of inspiration for her stories, and now enjoys helping her "research." She writes as they drive from one Bible belt shooting location to another.

DOUBLE EXPOSURE
By Tori Scott
Red Sage Presents, E-Books Division of Red Sage Publishing
ISBN 9781603102063
$5.95
ON SALE 8/01/08
www.eRedSage.com

IT'S OUT!!!!!

Two days early, but Double Exposure is now available. I'll post a contest in the next day or two. In the meantime, go check out the page devoted to my very own book, would you? Please? Just click the post title above.

Countdown to Release Date!

10 Days to the release of Double Exposure from Red Sage. The cover is on the Coming Soon page. It's listed in the upcoming releases on Fiction Wise. Am I excited? Oh yeah. Big time. I'd love to blow the sales records out of the water, but what has me terrified is waiting to get that first review...

Stay tuned.

Free Book!

From July 22nd through August 5th, you can read the entire, uncut text of THE MARK by Jason Pinter online--for free! Just go to www.jasonpinter.com and click on the link. Hope you enjoy!