New Contract for Virtue

Sandstone etching by Bob Jarecki

This morning I signed a contract to publish my romantic suspense, Virtue, with awesome publisher, Turquoise Morning Press. They will be releasing Chihuahua Momma in July, 2013, and it looks like Virtue will come out a few months later. I'll let everyone know when I get the release date.

I am super excited to be working with TMP on another project. I completed Virtue during the Donald Maass breakout workshop, and I think it is one of my better manuscripts. Below is the pitch that landed the contract:

Sheltered, raised in rural Utah, Zoe Marshall has never heard of the Mayan Prophecy of the Golden Goddess—but she’s about to.

At the moment she’s thrilled to have landed her dream job dancing on a cruise ship where she meets Belizean, Gabriel AhKin. The sizzling bartender stirs her passion.

When the ship docks in Belize, Gabriel learns his brother, Alistair, has joined the Brotherhood of Kukulkan, a Mayan cult led by reclusive fanatic, Cocozca. Alistair has spirited Zoe away from a ship’s excursion, taking her to Cocozca’s temple. When the madman he sees her, he divines that Zoe is the Golden Goddess. She is “the one” to fulfill the prophecy.

                                                                                              

When Gabriel uncovers Cocozca’s plan to sacrifice Zoe, his flight to find Alistair turns into a battle to save the woman who’s captured his heart.

Need Some Help With a Title *Please*

Hi friends! I had a content editor review my MS, Forbidden Wall ~ Forbidden Love, and she recommended changing the title to something sexier. So that you understand a bit about the book, my pitch is below:

Highborn and privileged, Valeria has never known life outside her father’s Roman fortress. But when Hadrian’s Wall falls, Valeria’s world shatters.

Ripped from her bed, Valeria is captured by savage barbarians. Terrified, she prays her betrothed will mount a rescue. But it is the enemy—Taran—a Pict with Celtic tattoos and hair of fire who wields his sword and fights for her freedom.

Valeria seeks refuge in the Pict stronghold of Dunpelder. The Picts eye her with distrust and she must earn her keep as a commoner…But the longer she remains, the more agonizing it becomes to conceal her growing love for Taran, the redheaded king of the Picts.

Some of the ideas I have are:

HER PAINTED PICT WARRIOR

ROMAN LADY ~ PICT KING

THE PICT'S WOMAN

PICT QUEEN

THE PICT'S DESIRE
RESCUED BY THE ENEMY

Any suggestions you have would be much appreciated!!! 

~Amy

The Birds and the Bees and the Flowers...

Hummingbird and Bee

I have a wonderful vine in my backyard that blooms brilliant yellow trumpet flowers. It is absolutely adored by a family of hummingbirds and I took the picture above wanting to capture this amazing little bird. When I looked at it, I realized that a bee was flying above its head, and I had all the facets that I needed for my next blog post.

Do you write love scenes? I know some people enjoy writing them and some are uncomfortable with them. Some publishers want them hot and some want a peck on the cheek. Honestly, I enjoy writing them, though I am adamant that I stay away from erotica since that is not what I write.

I do rationalize that sexuality is part of the human condition. I write romance and I want my characters to experience all that is wonderful about being in love, feeling that insatiable desire to be close to the object of his or her affection. I want my love scenes to be filled with passion and longing to the point where my characters lose control of their sanity, and all that exists is the bursting love that binds them together.After all, that is why most of us are here.

Below is a picture of my bird in flight...Oh how deep my love. One look from him sends me soaring through the air on fluttering wings. 

Hummingbird in Flight

Ever wonder what comes After Happily Ever?

CONTENTMENT by Margaret Etheridge
Now available on Amazon..com
http://www.amazon.com/Contentment-After-Happily-Ever-ebook/dp/B0058K4TY0