[Psst! Yesterday’s contest runs through today. I’ll announce the winner tomorrow morning! So be sure to post a comment for a second chance to win!]

I woke up late today. I was a little worn out.

Yesterday, I spent the day trying to find a doctor to accept the red-headed hellion as a patient. She has stomach issues and no insurance. Yesterday, things came to a head when the clinic she has been going to told her she needed to go to her family care doctor even though she was in pain and becoming dehydrated. Well, she was going to them because she didn’t have a family doctor! Every doctor we contacted had waiting lists of three to five weeks for new patients. So, I took her to the emergency room. And guess what? They couldn’t run any tests either, even though I had my checkbook handy.

Red and I were seriously discussing sending her to Ireland. She has dual citizenship, and there, she has a right to health care. It may still, in the long run, be cheaper for me to pay for a round trip ticket for her to go there for testing and any surgery she may need. But we did find another group doctor clinic. I had to be the mean mama at the front desk, asking them what the hell we were supposed to do to get her seen by someone when she’s in pain.

And we don’t need health reform? Shame, shame, shame!

So, off my soapbox. Y’all know I don’t get political here. And I do have a very important question to ask you. 😉

If you were to write a book, what would you choose as the topic? (Now, you could choose fiction or non-fiction—just something you would be passionate about writing!)

Yesterday was fun! I went with the red-headed hellion and her family to nearby Hot Springs. We shopped like mad at our favorite haunts (Tillman’s and Romancing the Stone), then made our way to the Wax Museum. It isn’t “Madame Tussaud’s”, but rather “Josephine Tussaud’s”, which is a hint that all is not quite right with the attraction. Judge for yourself.

The two year-old wasn’t scared of the werewolf crashing through the wall.

My favorite!

Needed more blood and guts, I think.

Jack Sparrow didn’t look grimy enough.

This one creeped me out. I kept expecting them all to turn toward me with their vacant stares…

Here’s my baby and me.

You’d think a wax museum would do casts of shrunken heads. But I did find a Hillbilly calendar to give away to one “lucky” reader. It’s full of helpful holidays and appointments, like “Pay Pa’s Bale”, Ma shoe the mule”, and “Shoot snakes at swimmin hole”. I’ll be sure to toss in some Delilah goodies too! Comment to win this great prize! 🙂

[Psst! Find details about a contest running today at the bottom of this blog!]

Faking It

By Kathy Kulig

Don’t be fooled by the title. This post isn’t exactly what you might think it is. I recently took a class titled: Act Like a Writer given by NY Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry and actor, author and teacher Keith Strunk. This course teaches acting techniques to help writers learn to create a strong public persona to give better pitches, workshops, readings and just improve communication with publishing professionals. I knew I was going to hate parts of this class, and I was right, but I’m so glad I took it. Most writers are introverts (aka hermits) who feel most comfortable hidden away in their writing caves. Stick them in a room full of publishing professionals and they’re usually eyeing the nearest exit. So how do introverts give the appearance of being intelligent, articulate writing professionals? Partly by faking it before we make it. And also by pushing the limits of our comfort zones.

The first day of class was a nightmare. I had to do a mock pitch of my book. I’ve done tons of pitches before. Even though I rewrote mine the night before, I’d printed it up on a nice card for reference. I felt pretty confident I’d do the pitch okay. Then Jonathan said we were going to be videotaped. Ugh! Then he said , “No notes.” Ack! In seven years of pitching, I’ve never done one without a note card for reference. I said two lines, looked at the camera and went blank. Gawd. Awful. Worse than that, the clip was uploaded on our loop for the other nine students to review and critique, reliving the embarrassment. The final day of class I had to do a long pitch standing in front of the awful camera. I was better than before, but I see where I can improve. And I have since thought of where I can improve the content of my pitch. I will be going to a conference this month and pitching. I will not be using notes. I’ll let you know how I do.

You’ll never see me get on stage to act, and you probably won’t see me walk into a ball room at a conference saying, “Ta Da, I’m here!” But I do feel more confident about presenting myself as a professional. When it comes to my work, work I’m proud of, work I’m representing, I can show my passion, commitment and enthusiasm because I’m the best advocate for my books.

A note to readers: I’ve talked to readers at conferences who said they were nervous and shy about talking to their favorite authors. Believe me I understand about being shy. But authors love, love to have readers come up to them and say they enjoy their books. Trust me it’ll make their day. If you’re still nervous, find me and I’ll introduce you. I’m attending the RWA National Conference in NY City June 28-July 2. And Romanticon in Akron, Ohio September 29-October 2.

*Has anyone ever gone to one of the big conferences like Romantic Times and felt over whelmed? Or lost in the crowd? What do you do?

Emerald Dungeon my new book with Ellora’s Cave was released today March 23rd. Yay! It’s part of the 1-800-DOM-help author series. I’d love to share the cover and blurb. Buy Link

I have a cool trailer if you’d like to check it out: Book Trailer

Dana’s summer job as a musician in an Irish castle takes an adventurous turn after she witnesses a BDSM scene in the dungeon, and her submissive side is aroused.

Jack is a sexy Dominant who recognizes the sub smoldering beneath the demure exterior. His skillful commands take Dana beyond her darkest erotic fantasies.

Whips, restraints and increasing levels of pain heighten her passion, but complete surrender and ecstasy is out of her reach. Will a summer affair be enough to find what they both need? The appearance of a mysterious 1-800-DOM-help business card offers to guide them. Secrets and strange events around the castle only add to their troubles. If Dana can accept Jack with complete trust and surrender, then ultimate pleasure and true love is possible.

Thanks so much for having me as a guest Delilah. It’s always fun to check out your blog. ~KK

Surprise contest! Head to Wild and Wicked Cowboys to enter! We’re giving away 6 erotic romance books today! Stop by for details, and good luck!

Just FYI, I finished that pesky Dom story late last night. I wasn’t going to let the sucker beat me! So another one bites the dusk. Back to vampires today!

I have a short story posted on Everything Erotic today. Head over there if you’re in the mood for something sexy! Everything Erotic

Be sure to pop by the AMF blog today. I’m the author on the spot, and you know I hate looking like I don’t have any friends. 🙂

Here’s the link: After Midnight Fantasies

I’m a slug. I’m hovering at the end of this BDSM story. I’ve wanted to be done with it for two weeks now, but I keep letting life get in the way. Someone, please nag me. Tell me I’m worthless—no, don’t do that, I might start to wonder if you were someone who read their first DD book and thought it sucked, then I’d suffer all kinds of new issues and NEVER write another word. Maybe if you beg me, very nicely, or tell me your dying sister doesn’t have long to live but wants to read THAT book before she does… You get the picture. I need a kick in the ass.

This week, I worked on taxes and things like release planning and promo spending. I also got my copyedits back for Handy Men. It shouldn’t be long before you see it on the Coming Soon page on Ellora’s Cave’s site.

This next week, with your well-placed boot, I hope to finish the BDSM story and revise the heck out of a short story, expanding it to novella length. I plan to release that novella in a volume with my sister in a straight-to-kindle project. Oh, and I should start today by finishing the copyedits for HM! Yeah, lots on my plate. I have to stay focused. Now, do your part!

I hope you enjoy today’s snippet. I’m off to Little Rock for my monthly RWA chapter meeting. I really, really hate the drive, but I love to see my friends. Wish I could convince the lot of them that they need to come to my podunk town for the meetings.

I didn’t get a lick of work done yesterday. (What does that phrase mean anyway? A lick of work?) Daughter and I spent the day together. We hit a rock shop. Uh huh. Picked up stone “power wands” and a couple of new worry stones. I bought another of my animal totem carvings. And now you know how thoroughly strange I am.

Y’all have fun today. Enjoy your weekend. I hope the excerpt gives you just the right start!

“…loved everything about SIN’S Gift…the way Delilah Devlin sets up her world makes it feel like nothing I’ve read before…”
5 Angels and RECOMMENDED READ!, Fallen Angels

“…A turbulent relationship and sexy, spooky thrills await readers in SIN’S GIFT…This is a well written and engrossing tale with complex characters who have hidden depths. Enter into other realms with the highly recommended SIN’S GIFT.” RRT Erotic

“…Wow, I loved this novella. It’s fabulously exciting and a fast, exhilarating read…I recommend this book to everyone that loves hot, sexy paranormal story. I love Delilah Devlin’s books and this is one of her best yet…”
5 Hearts, The Romance Studio

Police Officer Sinead O’Rourke returns to duty months after being shot in an incident that also claimed her partner, Danny. Despite being cleared of any negligence, Sin knows her fellow officers wonder whether she’s partially responsible for his death. One more problem is that everyone knows she claims she’s seen Danny. After months of rehabilitation and counseling, and lying like hell about the fact she’s not seeing spooks anymore, Sin’s determined to get back into the saddle. But her first day back in the patrol car, Sin sees something more horrifying than the ghost of her dead partner and enters a deadly new world. Jake doesn’t want to partner with Sin. Been there, done that—couldn’t keep his hands off her the first time around. She’s too much of a distraction and her penchant for rushing into trouble scares the hell out of him. Despite wishing she’d quit her job, he’s still deeply attracted. When an armed robbery goes down and something happens that rattles Sin to the core, he’s right there—ready to cover her back and her sweet body.

“Sure you’re ready for this?”

Sin stifled a groan. How many times would she hear that today? She especially didn’t want to hear it from Jake Chapa’s lips. Lips she knew the texture and taste of all too well.

She didn’t respond, still fuming because he hadn’t even offered to let her drive. That had been only one of the bitches she’d had partnering with him before. He’d never trusted her. Not with the car. Not with his back.

Now he’d been just fine playing house with her for a while, but he was too much of a chauvinist to ever accept her working at his side.

She’d looked him over when she strode through the garage to the car. He hadn’t changed a bit. Same thickly muscled frame, hair so “high and tight” a Marine DI would weep, same sensually charged expression that always made her stomach clench. He’d been a god in bed, but a total asshole as a boyfriend. What was the lieutenant thinking? She thought she knew the answer.

He hoped she’d wash out in a week, and he wouldn’t have to worry about her getting anyone else killed.
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