Monday, December 21, 2009

Book Tuesday: Vision in White


In honor of my visit with my mom, I let her pick this week's book to recommend and she chose Nora Roberts's Vision in White( my mom's the one who hooked me to romances when I was in fifth grade, btw). She really liked this book, and so do I. I also liked her newest addition to the Quartet, Bed of Roses.

This quartet marks a deviation from Nora's normal trilogies-- and not just by number. It's a reach back into her pure, contemporary romance roots and I think she's done a phenomenal job with it. Though I snap her novels up as soon as they come out (and I mean on the day they come out-- including the hardcover ones) and truly love both her In Death series and her romantic suspense novels, I do miss her romances. No one does character like Nora Roberts and I think this book, and this Quartet, is a perfect example of how she really does do relationships and characterization just beautifully.

So, what do you think? If you read Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb, which are your favorite books/types of books by her?

Winner of the Contest!

Sorry, guys, to be so late posting. I've been having fun shopping and hanging with my mom :) The winner of the contest from last Fun Friday is Book Junkie, so e-mail me your snail mail at tracy@tracywolff.com and I will get your prize in the mail to you. Thanks to everyone who participated-- don't forget to check back for my next contest, the week after Christmas.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Fun Friday: Let's Have a Contest!


In honor of my fabulous news this week, plus the fact that Christmas is just around the corner and we leave for San Diego TODAY, I thought we'd have a contest. How about a pretty, little bottle of Victoria's Secret perfume and a copy of my first erotic suspense, Full Exposure???? Leave a comment to be entered to win.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

An Excerpt from Rip Tide

As you know, I posted yesterday that I sold my Young Adult novel, Rip Tide, to Walker Books! It's the story of Tempest, a sixteen-year-old girl who is the daughter of a world class surfer-- and a mermaid. Now that her seventeenth birthday is approaching, she must make a choice-- to stay human (and surfer) like her father or become mermaid like the mother who abandoned her years before. Determined to stay human, she is more than a little freaked out when odd things start to happen (she grows gills, for example). Add in a love triangle between her human boyfriend, Mark, and the mysterious, powerful Kai, and the fact that the fate of her mother's clan-- and the entire Pacific, for that matter-- rests in her hands, and her junior year is shaping up to be more than she bargained for.

Hope you like the excerpt!

I still don’t know what possessed me to do what I did next. Ignoring the rain, ignoring the cold, ignoring my chattering teeth and half-frozen appendages, I climbed out of the car and let the rain and the wind wash over me.
It tore through my hair, whipped against my tender skin until tears rolled down my face. Lightning rent the sky, flashed above the ocean like a bomb exploding mere moments before thunder shook the ground. And still I stood there, refusing to get back in the car where it was safe.
My name wasn’t Tempest for nothing.
Unwilling to give in to the wind or the rain or the voice in my head that warned me away, I staggered towards the water. It seemed a better idea than throwing the mother of all temper tantrums and screaming “it’s not fair!” at the top of my lungs.
Life’s not fair, little girl. For the first time in years, I heard my mother’s voice in my head. Sometimes you’ve got to make the best of what you’ve got. The advice might have meant more if it hadn’t come from a woman who had run away from every responsibility she’d ever had.
There was a rocky slope between me and the beach, and I stumbled down it—slipping and sliding with single-minded intent. I wanted only to get to the water. To feel the ocean lapping at my feet, before it surrounded my frail, human body. To be free in a way I couldn’t be when I was on land.
I spilled down the last few feet, tumbling onto the beach—and my butt-- as my legs went out from under me. I hit the ground hard, so hard that I didn’t immediately climb back to my feet. I just sat there in the middle of the storm, the sand cold and squicky beneath me, and let the rain have me.
I was colder than I’d ever been—nearly frozen—my body struggling to regulate itself in the downpour. Another gift from dear old mom, this inability to control my own body temperature except in the water. Not for the first time, I wondered if I really was as cold-blooded as I felt.
A flash of color in the middle of the blue-gray waves caught my eye, had me convinced I was imagining things. Except when I looked again, it was still there—a flash of red in the middle of the bobbing, seething waves.
The rain was still coming down hard, so hard that for a minute I was sure I was only seeing the reflections of light through water, like a rainbow. But there was no sun and little light out here in the middle of the storm.
I jumped to my feet, wiped the streaming rain out of my eyes before cupping my hands around my eyes in an effort to keep the water out as I tried to find that little dot of red again.
There it was—my heart beat double time as I realized what I was seeing. Someone was out there. Someone was swimming in the seething, storm-tossed waters.
What a moron, was my first thought.
My second thought was that there was no way he was going to make it back to shore. Not in the middle of all this. He was going to drown trying.
I fumbled for my cell phone, started to dial 911—in the winter there were no lifeguards on these beaches—even as I kicked off my shoes, some unconscious part of me already preparing to plunge into the water to try and save the idiot.
Only, as precious seconds passed, I realized he didn’t need saving. Before my pissed-off, terrified eyes, he stood straight up in the middle of the thrashing waves.
For one brief, bizarre moment the water was so high that it looked like he was hovering on the surface of the waves—literally walking on water.
But then the wave crested and I realized he was actually surfing the monster waves, his board cutting through the disturbed water like a knife through soft-serve ice cream. His red swimsuit was a beacon of insanity.
My God, was all I could think as I watched him maneuver through the waves like a maestro.
My God, he was good.
And my God, what I wouldn’t do to be out there with him—suicide or not.
The waves bucked and roiled around him, but you would have thought he was having a picnic out there amidst all that crashing. He never faltered, his body staying in perfect form as he rode the wave in much further than even I would have been able to on my best days.
When he finally dropped back down to the board, I was as disappointed as I was relieved. Watching him had been like watching art come to life.
I started across the squishy, water-logged sand, unsure what I was going to say to the guy. But approaching him was almost a compulsion, one I had no desire to resist.
We made it to the water’s edge at the same time. I stopped uncertainly as I got my first real look at him rising out of the ocean like Poseidon himself, all muscles and wet, sleek, tanned skin.
He towered over me despite the fact that I stand close to six feet, without shoes. And he was gorgeous—so gorgeous that I couldn’t help staring at him. Thank God he didn’t seem to mind, was in fact studying me right back.
He had a fallen-angel face that was as compelling as anything I had ever seen. Perfectly chiseled, amazingly crafted, he was so beautiful I almost wanted to reach out and touch him, just to ensure that I hadn’t made him up in all my topsy-turvy angst. His too-long black hair hung in watery clumps around his face and his dark eyes watched me with a sexy intensity that belied his easy grace on the surfboard. Around his arms were black tattoo bands in an intricate pattern of symbols I had never seen before, a design that was echoed beneath his pecs and—I saw when he dropped his board—across his shoulders as well. My fingers itched with the need to paint him.
Who was he and why had I never seen him out here before? A guy that surfed as well as he did would have to ride the waves a few hours every day to stay at the top of his game. This wasn’t my normal beach, but I surfed here enough to recognize most of the hard-core wave riders.
“Hey,” he said with a grin. “What are you doing out here? It’s pretty crazy today.”
My heart stuttered. “I was going to ask you that. Who tries to surf in this?”
He shrugged good-naturedly. “Someone who knows what he’s doing?”
“Or someone with a death wish. You could have died out there!” I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth, or the shrewish tone they were delivered in. What was wrong with me?
“I started out before it got this bad. I wasn’t expecting it.” He shivered and I realized, for the first time, that he wasn’t wearing a wetsuit.
“I’m sorry. You must be freezing.” I stepped back to let him pass, but he didn’t move, just stared at me with those intense eyes that made me both fluttery and strangely relaxed at the same time.
“I’m cool.”
“Don’t you want to get out of the rain?”
“I like water. Don’t you?”
My stomach somersaulted, though I didn’t know if it was because of the knowing way he’d asked the question or because part of me wanted to know how his lips would feel against mine. I think it was probably a combination of both.
Mark, I reminded myself, as I took one giant mental step back. Despite our earlier fight, I was pretty sure he wouldn’t appreciate me ogling some other surfer on the beach. Especially one who looked like this.
The relaxed feeling left as easily as it had come.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Yay! Yay! Yay!

I just got a call from my agent with the good news that I have been waiting for for what seems like forever! I sold my paranormal mermaid/surfer YA, Riptide, to Walker Books!!!!!!!!!!!!

More info to follow when I can stop spinning around in circles :)

Wolff Wednesday: Are We There Yet?

Not much going on over here at the Wolff household. I'm cleaning, doing laundry, etc. in preparation for our trip to San Diego. My mom always comes to our house for Christmas, so this year we thought we'd go there. We leave on Friday and I'm so excited I could burst (I only get to see my mom twice a year, which isn't enough for either of us). I'm not so thrilled at the idea of being cooped up in my car with my three boys, but c'est la vie. Plane tickets weren't in the budget this year-- not after we had to put new tires on both cars, plus new brakes for the SUV. But I figure Nintendo DS and portable DVD players were invented for a reason, right?

So how about you? What are your holiday plans this year? Am I the only one travelling far from home (or going home again, depending on how you look at it)?

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Come Visit Me!

I'm blogging over at Pink Heart Society today about my favorite temptation: lipstick (okay, my second favorite temptation ;) Stop by and say hello!

http://www.pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com/

Monday, December 14, 2009

Movie Monday: The Princess and the Frog

I so wasn't planning on seeing this movie. Despite the fact that it takes place in New Orleans, my old and perhaps favorite stomping ground, I just wasn't that interested in the movie. Maybe it's because I've been seeing boy movies for the last twelve years or maybe it's because I never bought the old kiss a frog and turn him into a prince line (I've kissed a lot of frogs in my days and all I did was get slimed). Either way, I went in with pretty low expectations, but as my oldest was at the Cowboys/Chargers Game (Go Chargers!) my youngest two wanted to feel special too. So off to the movies we went.


And you know what? I freaking loved it! It was fabulous!!!!! The music was wonderful, the heroine, Tiana, really down to earth and flawed and the hero, Naveen, was even more flawed. Now, for those of you who read my books, you know that's a dynamic I can get into. Anyway, one of my favorite characters was the fairy godmother/voodoo healer who helped Tiana and Naveen figure out that what they wanted wasn't necessarily what they needed. Add in Tiana's dim-witted but very sweet best friend and the movie was a roaring success. I highly recommend it :)
So, has anyone seen this movie yet besides me? Did you like it? And if you haven't seen it, how do you feel about Disney movies in general? What's your favorite? For me, it's still The Little Mermaid ... and probably always will be. Have a great Monday!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Release Day!!!


Sorry, I'm late today, but I've got two sick kiddoes at home, not to mention a major headache. Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know it's release day for my Harlequin Superromance, The Christmas Present. Though some of you have said you found it in stores before today, it officially hit the shelves this morning :) Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite :


Rafael ran down Ellis as fast as he could, trying to get close enough to read the license plate on the car weaving through the late-night streets. Even after it careened around the corner of Main, he kept running, hoping that something, anything, would happen to slow them down. He just needed a minute to catch up, just needed—
He turned the corner and then stopped abruptly, completely disgusted. The street was deserted, the car—and the kids who had thrown the brick—gone as if it had never been.
Swearing viciously, he jogged back to the center. It was just registering that he’d left Vivian alone back there, with a hole the size of a small person in the front window. Though logic told him she was fine, he ran faster, determined to make sure that she was all right.
He focused on that as he ran the half-mile back to the center—and on trying to figure out who would send a brick soaring through his window. Anything to keep his mind off the spectacular kiss he and Vivian had shared. He hadn’t planned on kissing her, had told himself to stay as far from her as he could get. But she’d smelled so good and had sounded so sweet when she’d asked him if he was all right, that he hadn’t been able to resist.
And once his lips had touched hers, his objections hadn’t seemed to matter and he’d nearly eaten her alive. Talk about smooth—not. Add the brick through the window to the less than suave way he’d jumped her bones, and he half-figured it’s be a miracle if she hadn’t run screaming back to her car.
Back to her midnight blue BMW. He hadn’t noticed it when they’d run out to the hospital, but he’d sure as hell noticed it when they’d come back. Thousand dollar suits, hundred thousand dollar cars—she was so far out of his league it was amazing they were on the same playing field—even if it was only for this one, short game.
He’d had no business kissing her, no business touching her when she was Diego’s lawyer. Their lives were too different, and the damn brick thrown through the center’s window just underscored that point. He was pretty sure nothing like this would have happened to her in that upscale apartment building she lived in.
When he got back to Helping Hands, Vivian was still there, standing over the brick and broken glass, with the phone in her hand. “The police are on their way,” she said softly to him, before going back to her conversation with what he assumed was the 911 operator.
He started to tell her to never mind, that such things had happened before—when he’d first opened the teen center—and the cops had never done anything about it at the time. But then he saw the writing on the large blick and the resignation that had been running through his veins exploded into anger.
Tell the bitch to back off. Or else we will. The words were scrawled in bright red paint across the widest surface of the brick.
“What the hell?” He stooped to pick up the filthy, offensive thing, but Vivian stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t do that. You’ll compromise any evidence there might be.”
Evidence? Someone had just threatened her and she was worried about evidence? He knew it was the lawyer talking, but still. All he could think of was burning the whole damn world until he found whoever had threatened his woman.
And in honor of the title, The Christmas Present, what do you want under the tree this year?



Monday, December 7, 2009

Movie Monday: Blind Side

I've heard that the role of Mrs. Tuohy (the mom) in this movie was the role of Sandra Bullock's career, but it wasn't until I saw Blind Side yesterday that I really understood what people were talking about. All I can say is, if you see one movie this holiday season, make it this one. Really, it was that good.

Now, I'm all about the feel-good sports movies (I live with four men, so believe me when I say I've seen my share-- meaning ALL of them) so I thought I knew what to expect when I agreed to take my twelve-year-old to see this yesterday. I was wrong. This is more than just a feel-good movie-- it's a story of beating the odds, what it means to truly embrace the ideals of the holiday season, a social commentary, a fabulous Southern regional piece and a look at one of the strongest female characters I've seen in a film in a long, long time.

One of my favorite lines is when the tutor (Kathy Bates, who I have adored since Misery all those years ago) is about to be hired by Mrs. Tuohy and she says she has to tell her something that she doesn't tell anyone. You get the feeling that whatever it is, it's really bad. And then she pops off with "I'm a Democrat." Which was funny enough, after the build-up, but when Mr. Tuohy says later, "Who knew we'd have a black son before we ever met a Democrat," I couldn't help LMAO.

The whole movie is filled with poignant, sweet, funny little gems like that as you explore how one family changed the life of an inner-city boy born to a crack addict-- and how he really, truly changed their lives as well.

So, has anyone seen Blind Side yet-- or any other movie this season that they would like to recommend? With the holidays coming, I'm all about finding some great movies to take the kids-- or the hubby-- to.

Winner of Fun Friday!!!!

The Winner of my Fun Friday contest is Cecile! Cecile, drop me your snail mail at tracy@tracywolff.com and I'll get those books in the mail to you :) Thanks to everyone who shared their favorite part of the holidays with me!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Fun Friday: A Christmas Giveaway


Since my new Christmas novel, The Christmas Present, hits stores on Tuesday, I thought I'd take this chance to run a quick Christmas contest. Leave me a comment on your favorite part of the holiday season and you'll be entered to win a copy of my very first book, A Christmas Wedding, as well as a five dollar giftcard to Starbucks for the Holiday drink of your choice. My favorite Starbucks Holiday drink: the Pumpkin Latte. Yum!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Baby, It's Cold Out There

You'll have to forgive me. I live in Austin, Texas, where it's a billion degrees outside six months of the year, so when temperatures start to drop none of us quite know what to do. No matter how hard we plan, we're always caught unaware (kids without pants, long sleeve shirts, jackets, because they outgrew the ones they wore for one month the year before) or at least, I am. So when it turned cold this week-- and I'm talking cold as it may actually snow tomorrow-- I was surprised.

The kids, of course, are thrilled. In the five years we've lived here, it's actually snowed only once. We've iced a few times, but real, honest to got snow? Only once. And to tell you how unprepared we were for that, the kids went sledding down the driveway on the tops of those huge Rubbermaid storage containers-- swear to God.

So anyway, as I was scrambling to find jackets that fit (beyond the regular hoodies) and hats that actually lived up to my oldest's cool factor, I couldn't help reflecting that it actually feels like Christmas. Last year, it was 85 degrees at Christmas time, so to say I'm excited about the weather-- now that my children are properly protected from winter-- is a tad of an understatement. I just hope it lasts.

So, what's the weather like where you live right now? A friend of mine from New York was moaning about the fact that she was ready for Spring and I had to laugh. Here in Austin, Spring is right around the corner. I have a feeling New York, however, might have to wait a while ;)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Blogging at Sizzling Pens today

Hi, everyone! I turned my book in today (July 2010 Superromance, so I am back, after a week of frantic writing/revisions). I'm blogging over at www.sizzlingpens.com today on some of my favorite new authors this year. Stop by and give me a list of some of your new fave authors ;)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Wolff Wednesday

Not much to talk about on the Wolff front. I'm two chapters from finishing my July Superromance-- yippee-- but that means I've been buckling down and leading a very boring existence for the last few days. Plus, the good news I've been waiting for just hasn't come. Sigh. But I still have plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving-- my family and friends, my wonderful career, my health-- nothing like a hospital stay to scare you about that. I'm thankful that my classes are almost over and my papers are almost completely graded and oh, also the fact that most of my Xmas shopping is done, so I do NOT have to brave the stores tomorrow-- definitely thankful for that, as I usually go out early on Black Friday.

How about you guys? Any good news lately? What are you thankful for in this season of reflection and giving?

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Book Tuesday: Forbidden by Karen Erickson


So today's Book Tuesday is short and sweet. I want to pimp out my dear friend, blog partner and very first critique partner's new book, Forbidden! Here's the blurb:


He always wanted what he couldn’t have…
Rick blew it, and he’s never forgotten it. It’s bad enough his best friend Jesse showed his true colors and stole Blair, the girl Rick Playing With Fire, Book 1
Forbidden desires, secret needs…that’s not what girls are made of. At least, that’s what Michaela’s past boyfriends told her when she revealed her darkest, dirtiest fantasies. She knows she’s better off without the exes, but she’s lonely—and horny. It doesn’t help that her roommate, Austin, is the most gorgeous man she’s ever laid eyes on. Too bad he’s bisexual…or so he says.
There’s a reason Austin hasn’t been with a woman in a long time. The only one he wants is Michaela. He’s fought his attraction for months, waiting for a sign, desperate to show her she’s everything he wants in a lover. One illicit kiss leads to an explosive night of sex that leaves her wanting more—yet afraid. But Austin is a patient man, more than willing to tear down her boundaries piece by piece. Exposing her to pleasures she’s never known.
Trust leads her to whisper her most deeply held fantasy. One that rouses a new emotion Austin didn’t expect: jealousy. Possessiveness. He’s the only man he wants in her life. And he’ll do whatever it takes to prove it…


It's available from Samhein publishing now and I have to tell you, you won't regret the purchase. I bought it last week and read it while I was supposed to be writing my newest Superromance-- but hey, it kept me good company while I was stuck in the hospital! Anyway, hope you enjoy it!


Monday, November 23, 2009

Movie Monday: New Moon



Okay, I'm back and will try to keep up this week! After a miserable stay in the hospital and an even more miserable time tracking the Harlequin Hor debacle, I am ready to get myself back on track!

So, for today's Movie Monday, I'm going to talk about-- what else? New Moon. With the third largest grossing opening in history (came in behind Spiderman 3 and Batman's The Dark Knight) it is a smash success-- particularly considering it's the only one of the three that didn't hit in the middle of a blockbuster summer.

I dragged my dear husband to see it yesterday, and have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I was not a big fan of the Twilight movie-- I thought they skipped a lot of the poignant parts of the book, not to mention the whole make-up fiasco. But New Moon was pretty well done-- you can definitely see the money that was thrown at it after Twilight. And I thought the sexual tension between Bella and Jacob (Kristen and Taylor) was very powerful. Of course, I know that a whole lot of people came away from the theater thinking Bella chose the wrong guy and I can't really blame them-- even after having read all four books ;)

My favorite part of the whole movie was the scene when Bella cliff dives-- I think the director did a fabulous job and there's this one shot, as Jacob pulls her away and Edward dissolves, that was just beautiful, beautiful cinematography. I also liked the way they handled the few months where Bella pretty much ceases to exist-- before I went to see the movie, I'd wondered how they would handle it. Overall, I think it was worth the $8.50.

How about the rest of you? Did anybody rush out to see New Moon? Did you like it? Hate it? Have you read the books?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Book Monday: Just One of the Guys



I have a huge fondness for first person narrators, contemporary romance, and romantic comedy-- which is probably why I fell head over hels for Kristin Higgins when I read a book of hers that I got atRWA Nationals-- Too Good to be True about a woman who's been making up boyfriends since she was old enough to know what one was.
Anyway, I was raving about her a few weeks ago-- and how I couldn't find her at my local B and N and would have to resort to buying on the internet-- when my dear friend, Sherry Thomas, came through with thebook I'm going to talk about today-- Just One of the Guys.

This is a fabulous book-- particularly if you like anything I mentioned above. Kristen's got great first person narrators, and this book is no exception-- tall, athletic, competitive Chastity O'Neill is the only daughter in a family of male firefighters and other rescue personnel. Despite her bold, brash, bigger than life personality-- or maybe becaues of it--- she's had a hard time meeting a guy who isn't put off by her self-sufficiency and competetiveness. Enter Trevor, the man she's loved since they were both children and who refuses to look at her as anything more than a friend (except, of course, for one really hot weekend during college). Add in Dr. Perfect-- the first man Chastity's dated seriously in a while-- her fear of blood and a competitor at work who is making her life as uncomfortable as possible, and Higgins has delivered up a really cool read.

Have any of you read Higgins? If so, which books of hers did you like?

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Look What I Have!!!!

I got this yesterday-- isn't it yummy? It's my cover for the first book in my Dragon's Heat series written as Tessa Adams and will be available July of 2010. If you remember, I posted the prologue here a while back and will probably be inundating you with stuff from the book in the near future. I'm so excited about starting my paranormal dragon series that I could just bust.

Oh, and here's the blurb, for those of you who want to know what the book's about ;)

King Dylan MacLeod is one of the last pure-bred dragon shapeshifters in existence—and ruler of a dying race, the Dragonstar clan. It falls to him to protect his people—and their ancient magic. He has one more duty: to provide an heir.

Like all dragons, Dylan can only procreate with his destined mate—for whom he’s searched for five hundred years. His dark, rampant sexual appetite has earned him quite the reputation, all in the pursuit of his one true match.

But his search is delayed when a deadly disease sweeps through the Dragonstars, and Dylan must venture to the human world to find a cure. He tracks down renowned biochemist Phoebe Quillum, never imagining the beautiful scientist will be the mate he’s been seeking for centuries. But no sooner do they meet then Phoebe and Dylan are besieged by an obsessive, overpowering sexual desire.

Their passion turns to something truer—and they know in their souls and bodies that they’re in too deep to get out. And when Phoebe is kidnapped by Dylan’s oldest enemy, he must risk everything to reclaim the only woman he’s ever loved, or his clan will be wiped out forever.


So, what do you think?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Book Tuesday: The Christmas Present


I know, I know. This should wait until Wolff Wednesday, but when a friend forwarded her eharlequin newsletter to me with this in it, I knew I had to share-- and didn't want to wait until tomorrow!!!


Top 10 Holiday Books at eharlequin

1. Better Naughty Than Nice by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Rhonda Nelson and Jill Shalvis

2. Lone Star Seduction by Day Leclaire


4. Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham

5. Under the Mistletoe by Stephanie Bond and Linda Howard

6. One Cowboy, One Christmas by Kathleen Eagle

7. The Christmas Present by Tracy Wolff

8. Secluded with the Cowboy by Cassie Miles

9. A Mommy for Christmas by Cathy Gillen Thacker

10. The Soldier's Holiday Vow by Jillian Hart


How cool is that??? I'm really excited that it's doing well, especially considering all the great Christmas books that are out there right now! It's not available in the stores, but can be bought at http://tinyurl.com/yk4qcqr right now.

Here's the back cover blurb:

Rafael Cardoza needs a lawyer. A good one well versed in criminal law is the only hope to save the wrongfully accused kid from Rafael's community center. So how does he end up with uptown divorce attorney Vivian Wentworth? The chances of her successfully defending this case are slim to none. If Rafael were smart, he'd show Vivian the door.


Too bad his attraction to her is clouding his judgment. And when he can finally see past his libido, he realizes that there's more to Vivian than her family name and her designer clothes. In fact, she's working so hard to clear the kid's name, they just might win. It's the best Christmas gift Rafael could receive…or would that be Vivian agreeing to stay with him?
Anyway, had to share. Hope everyone is having a fabulous Tuesday.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Not Movie Monday


Okay, so per my modus operandi I went MIA last week. Sorry about that, but I got semi-good news on the YA I keep talking about. An editor likes it, but wanted to see a couple more chapters ASAP, so I got right on writing them. Between that and working on my WIP (which is due in three weeks) I didn't have time for much else-- so sorry, again, about leaving you hanging! Also, it's heading towards the end of the semester and my college freshman have research papers dues, I'm drowning under tests and regular essays and trying to keep up is not the easiest thing in the world-- at least not with football, karate, mad science, music lessons-- you get the drift. Anyway, super sorry!

Today I'm deviating from Movie Monday to talk about this totally new and exciting thing happening in digital publishing-- Harlequin has launched Carina Press, a completely digital publisher independent of their regular business and the entire romance world is abuzz with the knowledge.

If you're interested-- as a fan of digital publishers or a fan of Harequin-- you can check out this link: http://carinapress.com/?page_id=9 or this one http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/ or this one http://is.gd/4QSi2 or even this one: http://www.cnbc.com/id/33785094 Just so you know, this is huge news-- some of those links are to CNBC and yahoo news, as well as romance blogs, but everyone is talking about it!

Now, I've always looked at digital publishing as a good thing-- maybe not for me right now-- but a good thing in general. Some of my friends started out there and some conitnue there now that they've made the bestseller lists. But, I'm curious, today, to hear what you think. Do you buy books from digital publishers (like Samhein or Ellora's Cave) or do you prefer the big NY houses? And if you do buy digital books, I'd be happy to take some recommendations!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Book Tuesday: The Lovely Bones


A friend of mine mentioned this book to me in conversation a couple of weeks ago, and it has been in my mind ever since. I read it a few years ago, right after it hit all the bestseller lists, and it took me about three weeks to work my way through it-- not because it's so dense and difficult to understand but because the emotions are so powerful and painful and raw that I could only read about a chapter at a time. Anyway, after I read it, I put it on my keeper shelf and never looked at it again. For a romance reader, it's quite the downer. For a woman's fiction fan, it's pure brilliance.

So, after thinking about the book for about ten days, I finally picked it back up to re-read it, expecting to be able to work my way through it much more quickly the second time around. I mean, there are no surprises in the book anymore, right? I know how ninth grade Susie Salmon is raped and murdered by her next door neighbor. I know how she looks down from her version of Heaven on the people she left behind. I know how her family falls apart after her death and how her father figures out who the murderer is even though he can't prove it and how that eats away at him until he is a broken, devastated man.

I know all this, and yet the book has already reduced me to tears at least six times (remember, please, that I am not normally a crier). It has already kept me up at night, staring at the ceiling and imagining the horror of those Susie left behind. Maybe because I'm a parent with beautiful children at vulnerable ages, maybe because I've always been too empathetic for my own good, maybe because Alice Sebold is just that brilliant of a writer, I don't know. But this book has gotten inside me-- again-- in a way few ever have. I recommend it highly, though know going in that it will wring you emotionally dry.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Fun Friday: Halloween Recipes

Halloween's tomorrow, so I thought I would share with you a couple of my Halloween party favorites. Enjoy!

Witches' Brew (to fill a large cauldron or two large punch bowls)

3 64 oz. cartons pineapple juice
2 64 oz cartons orange juice
4 2 liter bottles Sprite
1 1.75 liter bottle vodka
1 1.75 liter bottle dark rum
Grenadine to taste

Mix together, chill and serve. I use dry ice, but it's fine without it. If you do use dry ice, be very careful not to touch, eat, serve etc. as it can burn you!

And for the kids:

Bloody Popcorn (my grad school neighbor used to make this every Halloween)

Pop up popcorn-- stovepopped, air popped, microwave.
Cover with butter spray and then sprinkle well with paprika or red seasoning salt.

Anyone have a fun, easy recipe to share (I'm all about easy on this holiday)?

Have a wonderful Halloween!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

It's Character Parade Day!

My middle son is in 1st grade and at his school, it's Character Parade Day-- which means the first graders get to dress up as a favorite character from a book and parade around the school. Of all the characters in beloved children's literature he could have chosen from, my kid chooses ... wait for it ... Darth frickin Vadar from one of his learning to read Star Wars books. I was like, "Give me a break. Don't you want to be the Cat in the Hat?" His answer was a look of abject horror.

Anyway, I'm about to dash out the door to go watch his march around the school grounds, but I thought I'd throw this out there-- what beloved character from a book would you dress up as if you had a choice?

For children's lit, I think definitely Anne of Green Gables-- who kicked serious butt, btw. From what I read today-- probably Lucinda, from Sunny's new series. She's such an awesome heroine. Otherwise, I'd say Eve Dallas, but then, I don't have the ass to fit in her jeans, so maybe not ...Happy almost Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wolff Wednesday: On Being a Writer

Since this week I am all about waiting to hear from my publisher (and tearing my hair out while I do) I thought I'd spend a little time talking about this business of writing. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a writer. My official biography says that it was from the time I understood that letters made words that told stories, but maybe it was earlier-- and later-- than that.

From the time I could understand the words that came out of his mouth, my father told me stories. Wonderful, fantastical stories filled with whimsical happenings and happy endings. He made up songs to make red-lights turn green, had me sit in our backyard-- absolutely silent-- and listen to the world around us, identifying noises. Gave me a topic-- from my brand new Esprit shirt to the stuffed dog (Sad Sam the Doggy Man) they bought me the day my real dog ran away-- and had me tell him a story about that object. In other words, he exercised my imagination from the time I was a toddler until I was in high school and too cool to spend much time with hm (something I regret greatly now, as he died when I was 21).

But what I'm getting at, is I learned to tell stories when other children were learning the alphabet, learned to make up tales with HEAs when my friends were digging in the sand-- for me it is as natural as breathing. And the day I wrote my first story down, sitting in the car at the bank while my parents were inside getting a loan, I was hooked. The story was written in aqua marker in an old notebook my mom had in the car and it was about a rainbow, a pot of gold, an evil leprachaun and the princess who fell in love with him. I was seven and from that moment on, I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my life.

Fast forward twenty-five years and hear I am, writing stories that I love about characters who interest me-- what more could a girl ask for? Well, the answer to that, is probably a Valium. Or a Xanax, or if you are as high-strung as I am, maybe both. I've never been a good waiter, never had a lot of patience. I'd rather be doing, doing, doing--as my agent found out this last few weeks when I had nothing to do but drive both of us up a wall. And now that I have a contract, I'm not much better-- and I won't be until I hear on the other three contracts that currently have me on tenterhooks.

To be honest, I'm not sure what the point of this blog post is, except to say that I've finally gotten what I want-- to be a published author-- but it hasn't gotten any easier since I signed that first contract. In fact, it's gotten worse-- because now it's not just about will I be published but will I still be published? Will I sell the next book and the next one, or will they just decide they don't want me anymore.

Publishing is a scary, scary world, and my friends and I complain about it regularly, but the truth is, I wouldn't want to do anything else. I love being able to write everyday, love being able to share my stories with the world. So, if I go gray early and get an ulcer waiting to hear from my editor, so be it. I think it just might be worth it ...

How about you? When did you know what you wanted to do with your life? Or are you still trying to figure it out?

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

New Release Day!

I love Tuesdays-- they're fabulous days for me, because Book Addict that I am, I can usually be found rushing out to get the new releases. Today is certainly no different, particularly since Nora Roberts's Bed of Roses and P.C. and Kristin Cast's Tempted released today. Also, my friend Julia London's new historical hits the shelves, so my arms will be full at Barnes and Noble this morning-- the best part, of course, is that my mom sent me a B and N gift certificate for my birthday so the books are in essence, free to me! I love my mom :)

So, how about you guys? Are there any books coming out soon that you're waiting with bated breath for? LEt me know-- as you're aware, I'm always on the lookout for a new author and am willing to try anything once!

Happy Tuesday!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Fun Friday Winner!

The winner of Nalini Singh's Angel's Blood is ALI F. Drop me you're snail mail addy at tracy@tracywolff.com and I'll get that in the mail to you this week.

And for my previous two winners, the books went out in the mail today-- sorry for the delay but things are INSANE as usual at the Wolff household.

Movie Monday: Favorite Chick Flicks

I thought I'd do something a little different today, for this Movie Monday. I spent the end of last week having a chick-flick fest with a dear friend. We watched some tried and true girl movies and some new ones, so I thought I'd compile a list of some of my favorite.


We started with The Proposal, which I thought was wonderfully funny. I've been a fan of Ryan Reynolds since Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (he was definitely the shining star in that sitcom) and think he's really starting to come into his own. He was absolutely yummy in this movie.

I also love The Lakehouse (I guess I have a preference for Sandra Bullock moview). But this one has just enough of a twist to keep it really interesting-- plus it has Keanu and that, in itself, is more than enough to make me like the movie.



We also watched Music and Lyrics this weekend-- I know, it' s not the best romantic comedy in the world, but I'm a HUGE Drew Barrymore fan and I think she did a great job playing a slightly neurotic hypochondriac who falls for a down-on-his-luck eighties pop star. Plus, Hugh Grant was HILARIOUS as said pop star.


My next chick flick pick is Beaches, because there is just something about that movie that gets to me. Though it came out when I was just a kid myself, I have to watch the movie at least once every few years-- preferably when I want to cry. Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey do a kick-ass job as best friends turned enemies turned best friends.



Then comes Boys on the Side, which, is another old film (1995) but that I love. Whoopi Goldberg and Drew Barrymore are wonderful in this movie and I think it is a fabulous tale of love and friendship and the strength that women draw from those closest to them.

And finally, Dirty Dancing, because, really, what's a chick flick list without this movie? I love this movie, love everything about this movie-- so much so that my oldest groans whenever he sees the box in my hand. "Again, Mom? Didn't we just watch that like last month?" But, seriously, this was my favorite movie the year it came out and it still is.

So, that's a small list of movies I love to rewatch-- preferably with a good girlfriend and a big bowl of popcorn. How about you? What are some of your favorite girl movies?

Friday, October 23, 2009

Fun Friday: Scavenger Hunt!

Hi, ladies! I thought I'd do something a little different today for Fun Friday. So how about a scavenger hunt? I've listed five questions below. Go to the websites indicated and then e-mail me your answers at tracy@tracywolff.com and be entered to win a copy of Nalini Singh's Angel's Blood, the first in her brand new series. So with no further ado:

1. What is the name of the heroine in Sherry Thomas's book, Not Quite a Husband?
2. What is the heroine's profession in Julie James's Just the Sexiest Man Alive?
3. What problem does Eve have in Sylvia Day's Eve of Chaos?
4. What's the name of Lauren Dane's erotic sci fi series for Berkley?


You can find the answers here:

http://sherrythomas.com/
http://juliejames.com/
http://www.sylviaday.com/books/marked/
http://www.laurendane.com/books/

Thanks for playing along. Happy Fun Friday and have a fabulous weekend :)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wolff Wednesday: Ideas, anyone?

So, I mentioned last week that I sold three Superromances to Harlequin, but what I didn't mention is that my editor is looking for a couple Blaze proposals from me as well. The first proposal I have done-- it's a romantic comedy type called Lyrics and Lingerie that is a little out of my comfort zone as there's nothing dark or spooky about it. At the same time, I love it-- I'll post the beginning here, so you can tell me what you think.

But I'm struggling with the second proposal, trying to decide what kind of occupation to give my hero. This is a darker story, one that is more my usual style. My heroine, Cara, is a tax attorney who has basically run away from her boring life, looking for some excitement. She finds my hero (who is still nameless because I want to know what he does before I pick a name that fits him from the list you guys gave me before) who is "mad, bad and dangerous to know." I don't know much about him yet, except that he has a new tattoo (they meet in a tattoo parlor) he's tall, dark and handsome (big shock) and he's also pretty cynical about love and women.

So, any ideas on occupations for tall, dark and handsome? What kind of jobs seem sexy to you?

Oh, and as promised, here's an excerpt from Lingerie and Letters. It's still in the proposal stage and may never see the light of day, but I had a ton of fun writing the first few chapters ;)

Excerpt from Lyrics and Lingerie

She was the most erotic, ride-me-til-I’m-blind wet dream he’d ever had—and that was saying something, especially as he would have sworn on a stack of platinum records that he was wide awake despite the early hour of the morning.

After pushing aside the gauzy curtains his decorator had hung over his sliding glass door just last week, Jake Rawlins leaned against the already warm glass and spent a few moments simply reveling in the view. After all, it wasn’t every day a man—no matter how famous he was—came home to a woman bent over the railing of his fourth floor balcony and wiggling her naked ass for all it was worth.

Though if he was being honest—something sixteen years in show biz had convinced him was highly overrated—she wasn’t actually naked. That lacy little scrap of lime-green nothingness resting between her nicely rounded cheeks definitely counted as clothing of the best kind, but there was more than enough of her hanging out to convince him she had the sweetest, sexiest, heart-shaped ass he had ever seen.

Not to mention a killer pair of legs and some pretty impressive stamina.

As he contemplated just how many hours of yoga little-miss-I’ve-been-a-bad-girl-and-really-need-a-spanking must have needed to be able to hold that upside-down-ass-in-the-air position for this many minutes, his near-dead libido sprang to life for the first time in way too long. It took every ounce of self-control he possessed—and then some-- to keep from reaching out and seeing if that creamy skin was really as soft and silky as it looked. But until he figured out exactly who she was and what she wanted, Mr. Happy’s rodeo days were on hold.
So who was she? His eyes narrowed in speculation. The one fan who hadn’t yet thrown him over for Toby Keith? An aspiring star trying to sleep her way to the top? Or an escapee from an insane asylum?

As it had been months since anyone had so much as asked him to sign a body part, he was definitely leaning toward the latter. But who knew mental institutions had such hot patients? When it came time to get back into the swing of things, he might have to lay off the single bars in search of greener pastures.

Taking an absent swig of his rapidly warming beer, Jake took his time checking out every glorious inch of his unexpected visitor that he could see—which wasn’t as much as he would have liked as her fabulous ass was currently blocking his view of her breasts. But what he could see looked so good that he might be able to live with the disappointment.
She wiggled again, a wicked little twist of her hips that made his cock hard and his beer go down the wrong pipe. Sweet Jesus, she was explosive.

Do it again, he urged silently when his coughing fit finally ended, please do it again. She shimmied—almost as if she’d heard his plea—and his blood pressure skyrocketed. What would it feel like to have her move against him that way as he plunged into her over and over again? She wiggled a third time and he decided—crazy woman or not-- he had to find out.

Dropping his beer on the end table, Jake fumbled the balcony door open and stepped into the wet and sticky New Orleans air. Before he could talk himself out of it, he reached a hand out to see if –- maybe, just maybe—that peaches-and-cream skin felt as good as it looked.
“Hey, watch it!” The indignant yelp that greeted his tentative touch was definitely not as friendly as he’d been expecting. She was, after all, the one currently flaunting her flexibility on his balcony.

“I am watching it,” he answered. “Hard not to as it’s one of the finest I’ve ever seen. And so’s that pretty little scrap of lace currently playing at preserving your modesty.”

One angry sapphire eye peered around a shapely knee. “Got a thing for underwear, do you?”

He wouldn’t exactly call it a thing. There was a time not so long ago when women had tossed their underwear to him by the thousands—everything from bikinis and edible undies to boy shorts and what amounted to little more than lace-edged dental floss. But as he eyed the storm clouds gathering in that one cerulean eye, he decided discretion might definitely be the better part of staying alive. So he contented himself with a simple, “No more than the next guy.” Her answering snort told him she wasn’t overly impressed with his hard-won modesty.

“Well, this is all there is to see. So why don’t you head back in and—“ she looked him over from neck to toe with that one, narrowed eye—“get some sleep. No offense, but you look like hell.”

He felt like hell, but that was no reason to break the party up so soon—especially since he hadn’t finished his beer yet. “I was on my way to do just that when I noticed you. Manners and simple curiosity compelled me to come out and see if I could be of assistance.”

“I don’t need your help.” Her tone was acerbic, but her face was growing redder by the moment—more, he had no doubt, from her upside down position than from any embarrassment she might be feeling.

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow. “Then you’ve simply mistaken my balcony for your latest yoga lesson?” he asked in the Tennessee twang he’d never been able to shake. “I think my last girlfriend called that position the downward dog.”

The eye narrowed even more, until all he could see was a slit of cobalt. It really was a shame that such a shapely backside belonged to such a prickly woman. “I wouldn’t know.” Her voice could have frozen water vapor in hell. “I’m not a big yoga aficianado.”

Jake clucked his tongue as he sadly shook his head. “And here I was having such fantasies about what I could do with a practitioner of the fine sport of yoga. You just went and spoiled all my fun.”

“And the day started off so badly.”

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Book Tuesday: Tempted


I know I've mentioned that I'm writing a YA-- Rip Tide-- and that I am currently obsessing about it as it is out on submission. But what I haven't told you is that while I was working on the partial, I read every YA I could get my hands on, trying to strike the right balance. I am an erotica author after all, and I wanted to see just what was acceptable in YA and what wasn't.

Anyway, as I gobbled up a ton of YAs, particularly paranormal YAs as that is what Rip Tide is, I fell for the P.C. and Kristen Cast House of Night Series. Originally, I picked up one just to get a feel for it. Two days later I was back at Target, buying the next four. Which leads me to the book of the week: Tempted. It is the much anticipated book 6 in the House of Night series-- which documents its main character (Zoey Redbird) being marked as a vampire and the adventures that happens to this priestess in training in her first years at the House of Night Academy. And I am dying to get my hands on it-- unfortunately I have to wait a whole week as it doesn't release until October 27th. But I can promise I'll be first in line for the book Tuesday morning (yes, I obsess about books, in case you haven't noticed ;)
In the meantime, here's the back cover blurb to tide you-- and me-- over :

So…you’d think after banishing an immortal being and a fallen High Priestess, saving Stark’s life, biting Heath, getting a headache from Erik, and almost dying, Zoey Redbird would catch a break. Sadly, a break is not in the House of Night school forecast for the High Priestess in training and her gang. Juggling three guys is anything but a stress reliever, especially when one of them is a sexy Warrior who is so into protecting Zoey that he can sense her emotions. Speaking of stress, the dark force lurking in the tunnels under the Tulsa Depot is spreading, and Zoey is beginning to believe Stevie Rae could be responsible for a lot more than a group of misfit red fledglings. Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from Kalona and his dark allure, but they also show that it is Zoey who has the power to stop the evil immortal. Soon it becomes obvious that Zoey has no choice: if she doesn’t go to Kalona he will exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. Will Zoey have the courage to chance losing her life, her heart, and her soul? Find out in the next spectacular installment in the House of Night series, TEMPTED.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Movie Monday: Fame

So, I'm a big fan of the Arts and a big fan of musicals, so the remake of the classic Fame should have been a shoo-in for me to love. Which is why I dragged husband to see it, over protests of how The Informant was such a better movie. Yes, ladies, you read correctly. I loved the first Fame so much that I willingly gave up a Matt Damon movie (sigh) to see it. And boy, was that a mistake.

The first Fame was filled with plot twists and character studies-- moments of real angst and real exhiliration. Moments that were painful for the audience-- and exciting. The new movie, which had a lot of potential, was nothing but a cop-out. There were no particularly interesting story lines, and even the ones they tried to mimic form the first movie (Coco sobbing as she let a man photograph her nude for her chance at a big break or Bruno and Mr. Zeferelli's argument over classic musiv vs. modern music) were handled so badly that they were superfluous to the plot instead of important to it.

Now, in case you hadn't noticed, I much prefer to spend Movie Mondays and Book Tuesdays talking about books and movies that I did like, biut this movie was so disappointing thta I couldn't resist saying something here. Not because it was an awful movie (I can still respect awful movies because they take risks. Riskys thatdon't pan out, mind you, but risks nonetheless). This movie, which played off the glory of its predecessor, didn't even do that. The word that comes to mind most, when I think about the movie, is Blah. Two hours of boring, blah, manufactured conflicts.

I can't believe I gave Matt Damon up for this.

So how about you? Did any of you see Fame this time around? Did you like it? If you haven't seen it, what movies have you seen in the theater lately? What do you recommend?

Winner of Lucinda, Darkly

The winner of Lucinda, Darkly is Linda Henderson. Congrtaulations!! E-mail me at tracy@tracywolff.com and I'll get it out to you this week. Thanks, everyone, for commenting!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Family Game Night-- a disaster in the making!

As you've probably gleaned from other posts of mine, I have three kidlets who I love excessively-- and who drive me absolutely bonkers at least part of the time (they're all male, which is an experience in and of itself). Anyway, there's a wide gap between my oldest and my youngest (ten years) with my middle one seven years younger than the oldest. What this usually translates to is three children running off in three separate directions with me in the middle like elastigirl trying to follow all three of them.

Which is why I came up with the brilliant idea of playing a board game the other night. My friend, Lori Borrill, blogged on board games over at our group blog ( http://www.sizzlingpens.blogspot.com/ ) the other day and her post made it sound like so much fun that I figured it couldn't be as bad as I remembered it being the last time I tried to play a game with the group of them. I was right- it was so much worse.

The oldest (a 7th grader who is so sophomoric I fear his head-- or mine-- will explode at any minute) did nothing but torment the younger two with the fact that he was more proficient at the game than they were. The middle one whined incessantly about the fact that the oldest was beating him, and the baby-- well, he did what he always does. He climbed into the middle of the game board at a crucial point and started throwing all the game pieces and cards around. Needless to say, the game ended with tears and angry shouts from the oldest two and a promise to myself not to try this again for quite some time.

Family game night is wonderful in theory-- not so great in application when you have a just-turned three year old running around. We gave up on Pirates of the Caribbean and ended up playing Lucky Ducks instead--you know the game with the ducks on a circle and the absolutely obnoxious quacking noise that goes nonstop? My oldest two dropped out quickly, less than impressed, and I was left with a headache of gigantic proportions.

So much for bonding over Milton Bradley. Maybe next year ...

How about you? Any favorite games you like to play-- now or as a child? Any suggestions on a game that might captivate the whole family?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Good News!

It's a quick Wolff Wednesday today as I am swamped, but I wanted to share the news. I just got a three book contract with Harlequin for my next three Superromances, including Matt's story (the best friend in From Friend to Father) so I am very, very happy today! And the news came yesterday-- on my birthday-- so who could ask for a better present???

Here's a quick excerpt from what I have written for Matt's book so far. Presently, the working title is What Love Means but that is definitely subject to change. My heroine, Camille, is a commitment-phobe to the extreme, so hopefully you'll enjoy the merry chase she leads Matt on before she catches him ;)

Prologue for What Love Means

“Do you have to go?”
A twinge of uneasiness worked its way down Camille Arraby’s spine at the words, though she continued to load her overnight bag. “My flight leaves in two hours—I’ve got to get to the airport.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” Matt Jenkins climbed off the rumpled bed where they’d just spent another incredible night, and crossed to her.
She watched him prowl across the room, his long, lean, nearly naked form a truly beautiful sight this early in the morning. His dark auburn hair had fallen over his eyes and his too full lips were curved in the sexy grin she loved.
The twinge got a little more pronounced and for the first time that she could remember, Camille regretted the fact that she had to go. She wasn’t nearly as ready to leave Austin—and Matt—as she’d expected to be.
But Brazil—and Carnaval—were in full swing and they wouldn’t wait forever. Besides, it was better to walk away now, on a high note, than wait for things to sour as they inevitably would.
“So what did you mean?” she asked, lightly, as he circled her waist with his hands and pulled her close.
“I was asking you to stay.” He nuzzled her neck and she sighed, letting her head fall back as desire moved through her all over again.
“I can’t.”
His mouth moved lower, to the hollow of her throat, and she actually felt her knees tremble. “You can.”
“Matt. You knew all along I was leaving today.”
“I know.”
“So what’s the problem?” Her voice hitched as he flicked open the first two buttons of her shirt, ran his tongue over the curve of her breast.
“The problem is that when we made the deal, I didn’t expect that I’d want you to stay.”
“And now you do?”
He lifted his head so that his warm brown eyes met hers and Camille shuddered with unfulfilled desire. She’d never met a man like Matt, who could make her respond so effortlessly—and powerfully—to his lightest touch.
“Now I do.” He stroked the back of his hand down her cheek. “Stay, Camille. Please. I’ve never felt like this before and I want to see where it goes.”
“I’ve already given up my room and my job, already have my flights booked to Rio and then on to Italy.”
“You can stay with me for a while—and getting another one of those temp jobs of yours can’t be that difficult. You’ve been through three in the two months I’ve known you.”
For one long second, Camille let his words sweep over her. Let herself imagine staying here with Matt indefinitely—spending hours and days and weeks together, in bed and out.
Doing all those wonderful things couples did when they were falling in love.
The images that flashed through her mind didn’t send her running for the hills as they normally would have, and that—more than anything else could—had her taking a cautious step back.
Pulling free of Matt’s embrace, she turned back to her bag. Rearranged the items in it, once, twice, as she struggled for the right words to say. But nothing came and silent minutes dragged by as Matt waited patiently for her answer, not pushing her but not backing down either.
As she slid her make-up case to the bottom of the bag, Camille wanted nothing more than to run—as fast and as far as she could.
Wanted nothing more than to fling herself into Matt’s arms and stay until this thing between them burned itself out.
But doing that was only asking for trouble, only asking for entanglements. Already Matt had sneaked through a crack in her defenses and taken up residence in an untouched spot in her heart. If she stayed, his presence inside her would grow until she was no longer complete without him. And that was something she would never, could never, allow.
When she finally looked up at him again, Camille made sure none of her doubts—none of her longing—showed on her face. “I can’t stay, Matt. You know that as well as I do. I was perfectly clear about the fact that I was leaving when we hooked up.”
“I know. But plans can change.”
“Not mine.”
“Bull.” This time when he grabbed her, his hands weren’t quite as gentle as they had been. Somehow, the edginess was just as arousing as the care. “Your plans change all the time. They change with the wind, with your whims. Why can’t you change them now? For me?”
“My plane tickets are non-refundable.” Her answer was flippant, but her heart was pounding hard and fast.
He cursed. “I’ll pay for the stupid tickets. I’ll pay for a hundred tickets if you’ll stay for just a little while longer.” His hands slid up her arms and neck until he was cupping her face. “Please, Camille. Stay.”
“Matt.” She shook her head, fought against the lump in her stomach that was growing with every word he said.
“Damn it, do you think this is easy for me? I’m not used to having to beg a woman to spend time with me.”
Of course he wasn’t used to begging—he was gorgeous and smart, and if not rich, certainly well off from his partnership in one of the city’s leading architectural firms. He was a prime catch—just one more reason she was determined to throw him back before he could do the same to her.
Before she broke her own rules and let him all the way into her heart.
Before she was the one pleading with him to stay.
“I don’t want you to beg.” The words came out sharp, stilted.
“So what do you want?”
“To see Carnaval. To dance in the plaza and run through the streets with the parades. To visit the art museums and hanglide through the hills. I wasn’t to stand on the beach at dawn and watch the tide roll in.”
“Okay. All right.” He closed his eyes, ran a hand over his face. “Give me a couple days, let me rearrange my schedule and I’ll go with you. You’ll still see plenty of Carnaval.”
The twinge turned into a full-blown panic attack, and it took every ounce of willpower she had to keep her hand from shaking as she slung her bag over her shoulder. “Come on, Matt. It’s been fun, but we both know it’s time to move on—before things get messy and predictable.”
“They don’t have to—“
“Sure they do, sweets.” With a sassy grin, Camille reached up and patted her lover’s cheek. “That’s the way of relationships. Short and sweet turns long and nasty, until both people wish they’d gotten out when the getting was good.”
His eyes narrowed. “Do you really believe that?”
“I do. And so do you—at least you did six weeks ago, when we first met.”
“That was different.”
“Baby, it’s always different.” She started to say more, but a car horn sounded from the street in front of his house. “I’ve got to go. My cab’s here.”
“I thought I was taking you to the airport.”
“It’s still early—go back to bed.” Standing on tiptoes, she brushed her lips against his once, twice. Then gasped as his mouth turned frenzied on hers.
He kissed her like no one ever had—hard and hot and with a desperation that nearly overwhelmed her. That nearly had her dropping her bag and following him back into bed, where he was so sure they belonged.
That nearly had her saying to hell with Rio and Italy and the world—she was more than content to stay right here, in Austin, Texas.
But then the horn sounded again and she was pulling away. Smiling at him. Walking out the door and reminding herself, with every step, of all the reasons she was doing the right thing.
After all, there was a big, bright world out there and in her thirty-two years she’d only managed to see about half of it. It was time—past time—to get started visiting the other half.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Book Tuesday: Lucinda, Dangerously


Can I just say, right now, how much I love Sunny.? Love, love, love, love, loooooove her! I got hooked on Mona Lisa Awakening after it first came out and have been a huge fan ever since. I loved when she moved to mass market with her last Mona Lisa book-- good for her-- and was thrilled when she started a brand new series starring the Demon Princess, Lucinda. In the first book, Lucinda, Darkly, Lucinda, quite simply, kicks ass and takes names.


The second book in the series, Lucinda, Dangerously, is no exception. I love this book. I love everything about this book. The characters are incredibly sympathetic, the sci-fi/paranormal world she's built (hell) are awesome and the sex is hot, hot, hot. There's not much about this book that I can criticize. So, this Book Tuesday goes out to Sunny and her fabulous new release (and it is new-- it just came out last Tuesday. I was at my local B and N panting over it and searching through their book carts until I found it).
Anyway, if you're a fan of paranormal romance, erotic romance or paranormal erotic romance, this is the book for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.


Have any of you read Sunny before? If so, tell me what you think of her. Which book is your favorite? If you haven't, leave a comment and be entered to win a copy of her brand new Lucinda, Dangerously.



Monday, October 12, 2009

Movie Monday


Can I just say how much I am looooooving U-Verse? We just switched to it and got the big package for the first six months-- the one that gives you every station known to man. I'm not a huge TV person but I love movies (in case you couldn't tell) and I am having a blast being able to switch on the premium channels at midnight and find a movie that I haven't seen in a while as a wind down and get ready for bed.

So this week's movie is Apollo 13. I know, I know, it's an old one, and I didn't even like it that much when it first came out. But watching it fifteen years or so later really sent goosebumps up and down my spine. The relationship between Tom Hanks and his wife was fascinating to me-- the familiarity, the comfort, the angst, the passion, the unshakable belief in one another. As a romance writer, I loved it, because it is that kind of relationship that drove me to write my first book, A Christmas Wedding. The whole concept that Happily Ever After is just the beginning.

In my book, the hero's and heroine's relationship is falling apart after twenty-seven years of marriage-- it actually opens when the hero asks the heroine for a divorce. The rest of the book is made up of flashbacks that show snippets of them falling in love and how they got to the state they are in and scenes that show how much they still love each other despite their differences. Writing the HEA for that book was one of the most satisfying I've ever written.

Anyway, back to Apollo 13. There's one line that just sends shivers down my back. When the NASA PR guy is asking Marilyn Lovell (Tom Hank's wife) to let the news people put a tower on her lawn, despite the fact that they hadn't been interested in the flight before the explosion, her answer is something along the lines of: "Those people aren't putting one piece of equipment on my lawn. If they don't like it, they can take it up with my husband. He will be home ... on Friday."

You've just got to love that kind of unfettered faith and optimism, even as her husband is spinning off into space. And, of course, the best part is: he does make it home by Friday. I love me a happily ever after ...

So, what about you? What old/older movies have you recently seen that you like?

The Tie Me Down Contest Winner!

I'm excited to announce the winner of my latest Tie Me Down Contest-- Amy M.! Amy, drop me an e-mail at tracy@tracywolff.com and I'll get the book in the mail to you. Thanks to all who participated-- come back soon for another contest!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Fun Friday--Help!!!


I'm starting a new proposal for a mainstream paranormal (Fire Born, which is Book 1 in my Sisters of the Flame trilogy) and I need a strong, sexy name for my hero. He's getting involved with a witch who wields fire, so he's a pretty self-confident, strong, hawt kind of guy. Oh, and he's tall, dark and more than a little bit dangerous.
After starting a series like Dark Embers-- that has nine male characters I eventually hope to write about-- I am totally out of cool guy names. Drop me a suggestion here and be entered to win a copy of my latest release, Tie Me Down.


Thanks, in advance, for your help :)

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Reality TV


You know, though I am a pop culture freak-- I love People and Us and Rolling Stones, watch movies like they're about to be wiped from the planet and spend far too much money on books every month, I'm really not much of a TV watcher. It could be because most afternoons the Disney channel is on one or all of my television sets or it could be because the idea of memorizing the fall line-up every year is just too much for me (I remember in my single days I used to know what was on and when. Now I'm lucky if I even know what shows made the line-up).

Anyway, I bring this up because my two closest friends are Reality TV JUNKIES. I mean, seriously, they need their fix. From The Real Housewives of Orange County and Atlanta to America's Top Model to the Biggest Loser, they love Reality TV. I on the other hand, simply can't get into it. I just don't know what's so great about watching a bunch of people I don't know do embarrassing and often immoral things just to make a "good" show.

However, I admit to one small Reality TV addiction-- Top Chef. I love Top Chef. I rush home from work Wednesday nights to catch it at 10 p.m. and for that one hour a week, I just sit and veg out in front of the TV. Even though more than half the dishes are ones I would never eat, let alone create, there's just something incredibly fun and relaxing about kicking back and watching these people cook. This season, I'm rooting for the brothers-- because they're obviously the best cooks. But I also really like Samantha and Kevin because they're fun to watch.

So, how about you? Any deep, dark reality TV confessions? Any TV shows (reality or otherwise) that you like to watch. Let me know if you have a good one-- and what day/time its on-- and I'll try to catch it. Now that I'm off deadline, there's a whole new world opening up to me ...

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Dark Embers

So, I just finished my first paranormal novel, Dark Embers (the number one reason I was a bad blogger for two weeks there). It's the beginning of the Dragon's Heat series-- a series about dragon shapeshifters who live in the caves under New Mexico's deserts.-- that I will be writing under the name Tessa Adams. Because it's a series, I started with the king book-- or in my case Prince. This was particularly difficult for me as I'm never a fan of this book in other series-- whether its Wrath from J.R. Ward or Mikhael from Christine Feehan or someone in between, that whole princely thing just isn't my cup of tea as a reader.

So, as I wrote Dylan (my dragon prince) I played around with what it means to be Prince. I asked myself questions like what if he was the second son and never meant to rule? What if his guilt over his older brother's death is still eating away at him? What if he really has no desire to be Prince but has to because his clan is in a particularly precarious position? As I answered these questions in the manuscript, Dylan emerged-- and I liked him. To be honest, I loved him. He's dark and dangerous, tortured and filled with a determination to save his people.

The book comes out in July 2010, and I hope you like him-- and the woman I paired him up with-- as much as I do. In the meantime, here's an excerpt to get you going ;)

Happy Wednesday!

Dark Embers Excerpt by Tessa Adams

Prologue

He’d failed. Again.
Locked inside his head, tormented by shades of might-have-been, Dylan MacLeod stepped into the night and closed the heavy, wooden door behind him.
He paused for a moment, sucked in a deep breath full of heat and sand and misery. Told himself it was no big deal. Part of him even believed it.
After four hundred and seventy years, he was damn good at lying to himself.
Shoving away from the small house with the cactus garden and stone swimming pool in the front yard, he walked the deserted street rapidly. It was three a.m. and his only company was a scorpion or two. The desert was quiet, the night solemn.
And he had failed again.
With each step he took, his conscience grew heavier.
With each footfall, his heart grew colder-- until he was once again at that place without hope. It was where he usually existed, where he’d spent the last century, mired in guilt and rage and a fear he refused to admit.
That he was here now was his own fault for trying to break out of it, for believing even for a moment that she might have been the one.
Agitation had him walking faster until his boots were pounding the pavement in rhythm with his too-quick pulse. Self-disgust had him blanking his mind until all he could think of was the night.
The stars.
The moon shining brilliantly over the desert.
At least until his jeans sagged around his ass.
With a muttered curse, Dylan yanked the faded denim back into place. Slid the button through the tab, jerked up the zipper.
What did it say about him that this latest encounter had left him so desperate to get away that he hadn’t stayed long enough to even get his clothes on properly? Worse, he hadn’t bothered to say good-bye to Eve—Eva? Eden?
For a brief moment he struggled to remember her name, what she looked like. Then let it go, as it mattered less than nothing. It wasn’t like he’d be seeing her again. Within moments of slipping inside of her, he’d figured out that she wasn’t the one—none of the signs were there.
No instant connection between them, as his clan mates spoke about.
No burning as the tattoo around his arm shifted to reflect the presence of his mate.
No searing pain as a part of her soul arrowed into his.
Nothing but a mediocre orgasm that had barely given his powers a pulse. Before she’d rolled off of him, he’d been plotting his escape and by the time the shower had kicked on in the bathroom he’d been halfway to the front door.
God, he was a fucked-up bastard. Cold as ice, despite the fire that raged within him. Hot as flame, despite the glacier that had taken up residence in his stomach. Was it any wonder, then, that he couldn’t find her?
He didn’t deserve her.
His laugh, when it came, was anything but humorous. That had to be the understatement of the year. The decade. The new millennium and probably the old one as well. Why else would it have taken him this long to do what everyone else managed in the first two centuries of their existence? Why else would he be doomed to failure night after night, encounter after encounter? He had screwed up generations ago and now he—and his clan—were paying the cosmic price. Big time.
His boots ate up the streets in the sleepy, little town, as he struggled to put distance between himself and his latest sexual escapade. Wind whipped around him, played with the tails of his shirt, caressed his bare chest. But Dylan didn’t bother buttoning up-- what was the point when he was headed right back to the bar to find yet another female shifter interested in taking it off?
Hope sprung eternal.
As he walked, he scanned the desert around him. Checked out every brush of the wind against cactus, narrowed his eyes at the rustle behind a random pile of heavy rocks. Then shook his head as a low, deep howl split the air next to him. A lonely coyote was the least of his problems.
If someone had told him four hundred years ago that he would be here, in this place, he would have laughed at them. If they’d told him he would grow tired of night after night of hot, anonymous sex, he would have told them they were insane. But youth was like that—arrogant, seemingly invincible, convinced the world was theirs for the taking. Or at least, that’s how his youth had been.
He’d spent centuries gorging on women, taking them each and every way he could. Glutting himself on their scent and taste and feel until his powers were at staggering heights. Devouring whatever they gave him with a grin and a wink and a softly whispered thank you.
He had plenty of time, he’d told his father when the man had told him to settle down. He was trying to find the right woman, he’d promised his mother when she’d fretted about the future. And then, from one heartbeat to the next, everything had changed.
His brother had been murdered. His parents had died soon after. He’d been crowned prince. And just that suddenly his people, his legacy, were without an heir. Bad enough that the second son was now the Prince. That he couldn’t find a mate, couldn’t deliver on his family’s legacy, was a nightmare.
There were others—his sister, his niece—who could take his place if he fell. But it wouldn’t be the same. The line of succession—which had remained unbroken for over three thousand years—would fall with him.
One more fuck up from a man who had never wanted to be Prince in the first place.
Dylan shoved the thought away—what he wanted didn’t play into things anymore. What was best for his people was the only important thing. And what was best for them now, was that he provide them an heir.
He should already have done so, should already have guaranteed his people’s survival through this millennia and into the next. God knew, he had tried—for nearly four hundred years, he had tried. And he had failed.
No mate meant no heir.
No mate meant night after night of anonymous sex as he searched for her.
No mate meant a dwindling in his powers that was not just concerning, but downright dangerous.—for himself and his people.
His was a precarious state of events for any centuries-old dragon, but for him it was an out and out disaster--particularly considering the state his clan was in.
Not that an heir would solve all the problems, but it would solve the most pressing—including the fact that it had been far too many years since a dragon young had been born to Dragonstar.
Far too long since they’d had something to celebrate.
His cell phone vibrated in his pocket and for one brief second, Dylan considered ignoring it. The day had been dismal enough— any more bad news and he might just take flight and never return. The idea was far more inviting than it should be, far more compelling than it had ever been before.
In the end, he grabbed his phone and flipped it open. Barked hello in a voice he knew was far from welcoming. He was Prince of the Dragonstar clan and as such could never be unavailable to his people. That didn’t mean he had to like it—especially tonight.
“Dylan, come quick.”
A shot of uneasiness worked its way down his spine at the panic in his best friend—and second-in-command’s—voice. As a rule, nothing fazed Gabe.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s Marta. She’s—“ Gabe’s voice broke. “She’s sick.”
His stomach plummeted to his boots. “Are you sure?”
His brother-in-law’s voice was hoarse. “I’m sure. I tried to deny the symptoms, to ignore them, but that’s not possible any more. I don’t think—“ His voice broke. “I don’t think she’s going to make it through this.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” Dylan was already running, his boots echoing in the deserted street as he stripped his shirt from his body. He didn’t bother with the pants or boots—they would take too long. Just blurred his image as he started to shift.
Pain—red-hot and intense as bones broke, reshaped, grew longer.
Pleasure— acute and all-consuming as he became what he was meant to be.
He ignored both sensations, concentrated instead on making it through the change. One more second. Two. And then he was in the air, his wings spread wide as he soared through the star-bright sky.
Not Marta, not Marta, not Marta. The simple phrase was a mantra in his head as he sped towards his lieutenant’s house, making sure to stay invisible despite the panic racing through him. So many of his friends—so many of his clan—had been taken from him in the last years. He couldn’t stand to lose his sister, Gabe‘s wife, too.
Please, God, not his baby sister too.
But when he landed in Gabe’s yard, he knew his prayers had, once again, gone unanswered. He could smell the blood from outside the house, could hear his sister’s non-sensical mutterings through the walls of dense stone.
Marta was bleeding out.
Delirious.
Probably already paralyzed.
If her illness followed the same pattern all the others had, she would be dead before the next moonrise. And there was nothing he could do about it.
Inside him the power sputtered to life, surged through him. The need to heal, to fix, to do what he was destined to do. But he’d tried it so many times before—on so many of his clan-members—and each time, he had failed. This disease was an enemy he didn’t know how to fight.
Rage and anguish welled within him, crushing his lungs and twisting his spine into hard knots. Throwing back his head, Dylan roared with all his pent-up fury—then went inside to watch his baby sister die.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Book Tuesday: Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks


Okay, I'm the first to admit I'm a big Maya Banks fan, so it's hard for her to write something I don't like. She's done it more than once, but those books are few and far between. My much more common reaction is to love, love, love a book that she's written and Sweet Seduction is no exception. It might just be my favorite book of Maya's.


Fun, flirty and full of the give and take between the hero and heroine that I adore, Sweet Seduction is an incredibly enjoyable read-- so enjoyable that I stayed up most of the night to read it. The heroine, a spunky, take-no-shit salon owner, sends the hero away after giving him the most amazing sex of his life (this is after she spent all of the last book in the series lusting after him to no avail). The hero, knocked on his ass by the heroine and the amazing sex, is determined to have her again-- no matter what he has to do to get her.

Escapades ensue-- filled with hot sex, dark fun and moments of incredible tenderness. By the time Maya wraps up the book, I'm thrilled to see her H/h get the happy ending they deserve.

Can't wait for the next installment in the series.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Movie Monday: Good Will Hunting



Yes, I know. I know. Really, I know. I am a terrible blogger-- which is why I resisted the urge to do my own blog for so long. But I promise that I will get better. The last two weeks were filled with deadline hell, and then a trip to West Virginia for Lora Leigh's RAW (so much fun) and then digging out the disaster that was my house after hubby and kids had at it for five days.

But I'm back now and today I want to talk about my seriously favorite movie of all time: Good Will Hunting. It was on TNT yesterday and I caught it from the beginning as I was flipping channels-- needless to say, the laundry didn't get finished and lunch was a little late ;)
This is the movie that won Matt and Ben their Academy Awards and it is the movie that made me fall hopelessly in love with Matt Damon-- not just with the way he portrayed Will Hunting, but because he wrote the screenplay for this incredible movie. There's just something about a brilliant, terribly wounded man who is forced to confront his demons thta just gets me every time (of course, if yu read Tie Me Down, you know that already). Add in his relationship with Minnie Driver's character-- how he loves her but just can't trust that he deserves that love-- and I am a big pile of melted goo. Seriously, if you haven't seen this movie, See it! It rocks on every level.

Now, because I could talk about Matt all day and night, does anyone have another favorite Matt Damon movie???? I'm also pretty partial to Ocean's 11, Dogma, Syriana and The Talented Mr. Ripley-- as Matt's characters in those movies are filled with neuroses. How about you?