Thursday, July 09, 2009

Guest Blogger Candace Havens: The All-Important First Kiss

I love it when the hero and heroine come together for that first kiss. In my books, I make the reader wait until an explosive moment, usually after a big fight. Then POW! Right I the kisser. I love those deep, sensual kisses.
When Alex and her main man, Jake, come together for the first time in DRAGONS PREFER BLONDES, it is one sizzling moment. I know, I wrote it, but every time I read it I get that quick tightening in my belly that comes from a really good kiss. The kind that makes the butterflies take flight in your stomach and makes your knees a little weak.
First kisses are always so exciting, even if they don’t always go as well as they do in fiction. I’ve been trying remember my first kiss, and I think it might have been in second grade with Michael Slocum. It must not have been terribly eventful, because I can’t remember much about it. The first kiss I do remember well was Paul Kibby teaching me how to French kiss in the seventh grade to the sounds of the Starland Vocal Band singing “Afternoon Delight.” They were sloppy wet kisses, but at the time I didn’t know any better. (I know my mom is really proud right now.)
I do have two favorite kisses from my past. The first was with Craig Price when I was in the ninth grade. We’d been circling each other for weeks one summer, just hanging out at the lake. Skiing, marshmallows by the campfire, the whole bit. Then one afternoon he kissed me, and POW! I don’t remember the specifics, but I do remember the weak knees and the realization that I’d never “really” been kissed before. It was awesome.
But not as awesome as the guy who kissed me in December of my Freshman year in college. We’d been friends my first few months of school there. I can honestly say we were best friends. One night I went on a date with a creepy guy, who will remain nameless, but he took me to this cool place. After I punched him in the nuts and made him take me home, I told my best friend all about it.
He was all set to punch the guy out, but I convinced him to take me back to the place. It was on this mesa in the middle of nowhere, but the stars were so close it felt like you could touch them. We were sitting on the hood of his car (which was a big deal because he really loved his car) and looking up at the midnight sky. All of the sudden he leaned over and kissed me. It was a good thing I was sitting down because there’s a good chance I would have fainted.
The kiss was that powerful. “I don’t think you need to go out with any other guys,” he told me as he pulled away. I honestly couldn’t speak. If you know me well, you know what a big deal that is. Then he kissed me again and I decided he was right.
I came home that Christmas and told my mom that I had met “the one” and his name was Steve. We’ve been married 25 years this past June.
So I want to hear about your first or favorite kiss. Who made your knees weak? Or how about the best movie kisses? I think my favorite most recently was the one between Edward and Bella when they are in her room in the “Twilight” movie. I can watch that scene again and again. So tell me yours!
SPECIAL NOTE: And make sure you check out Candy’s contest page at www.candacehavens.com. She’s giving away tons of prizes and has lots of ways for you to win! Make a comment today on this blog post, and you’ll automatically be entered to win one of the prizes.

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Seduce the Darkness Hits NYT List & Barbara Vey's Sat. Morning Book Club Reviews THE WELL

Gena Showalter's SEDUCE THE DARKNESS premiered on the New York Times bestseller list at #22! WTG Gena!
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A.J. Whitten's new YA novel, THE WELL, received a glowing review from Publisher's Weekly blogger Barbara Vey's Saturday Morning (Book) Club/YA Style.

The 411 on THE WELL: If Hamlet thought he had issues, he should have talked to Cooper Warner.
His mother’s normally sunny demeanor has turned into something—homicidal.
And what’s worse, she has help in her hunt for Cooper: A ravenous monster living at the bottom of the old well in the woods behind their house. She’s determined to deliver her 14-year-old son straight into the creature’s eager clutches. Cooper turns to his girlfriend, Megan, for help, but then, to his horror, the creature takes her prisoner.
Now, it’s up to Cooper to fend off his murderous mother, finish his Hamlet paper, and enter the putrid lair at the bottom of the well to rescue Megan. And when he confronts the creature, Cooper must make the toughest decision of his life: kill, or be killed.
Inspired by Hamlet, THE WELL puts a terrifying twist on the Shakespearean classic.

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Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Take Home Tuesday

UPDATE: The winner of THE VAMPIRE'S BRIDE by Gena Showalter is Beth Harar. Please email your physical addy to contests @ knightagency.net (remove spaces). Congrats! Thanks to everyone who participated.

Leave your name in the comments to win a copy of THE VAMPIRE'S BRIDE by Gena Showalter. The winner will be announced tomorrow morning. Good luck!

The 411: He is Layel, king of the vampires, a master seducer no woman can deny. But since a rogue horde of dragons killed his beloved over two centuries ago, Layel has existed only for vengeance...until he meets Delilah.

Wary of love, the beautiful Amazon wants nothing to do with the tormented vampire. Yet there's no denying their consuming desire every time he nears her.

Neither trusts the other--nor can they survive alone. For in an impossible game of the gods' devising, they've been trapped on an island, about to face the ultimate challenge: surrender to the passion that will bind them forever...or be doomed to an eternity apart.

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Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Happy Fourth of July!

It's almost time for BBQ, bathing suits and, best of all, FIREWORKS!
The Knight Agency would like to wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday.* Check out the video below to get in the spirit!

*Please note, our offices will be closed July 2nd & 3rd in observance of the holiday. If you are a client and have questions about the schedule, please contact your individual agent.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Take Home Tuesday

UPDATE: The winner of STRIP SEARCH by Shayla Black is Willa! Congrats! Please email your physical addy to contests @ knightagency.net. Thanks to everyone who participated :).
Leave your name in the comments to win a copy of STRIP SEARCH by Shayla Black (writing as Shelley Bradley). The winner will be announced tomorrow morning. Good luck!
The 411: The best way to go undercover is take it all off….
A sexy CPA goes undercover as a male stripper in the mobster’s Vegas club to nail a Mafia kingpin. The perk? The club’s owner. Sure she’s got some unsavory connections, but how can anyone with those legs be all bad?
She’s got a head for business, but is out of practice in the pleasure department. If anyone can strip her of her inhibitions it’s the new guy who’s stirring her wildest g-string fantasies. But besides the sizzling sexual chemistry they have in common, they both have secrets. They learn quickly that, with the mob closing in, what gets exposed is as irresistible as it is dangerous.

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Monday, June 29, 2009

Morning Funny

New York Times bestselling author Teresa Medeiros has enjoyed a 20-year + writing career, but she isn't afraid to showcase her early snafus as an aspiring author. Click here for her classic post on how NOT to write a query letter.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

Quickies

Dakota Cassidy's chat transcript is now available. The author of KISS & HELL and the ACCIDENTAL series talked well into the midnight hour. Wow! Great dish on publishing and writing life --- get it here.

Jia Gayles (that's me!) is giving web promo advice on author Chloe Neill's blog today. Come visit! Chloe's also giving away signed Chicagoland Vampires bookplates to FIVE lucky winners.

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Dakota Cassidy Chatting Tonight @ 9pm ET!

Join Us for a chat with author Dakota Cassidy tonight in TKA's chat room. Besides great conversation about books, writing and all that jazz -- you'll also have the chance to win an Amazon gift certificate or a signed copy of Dakota's latest release, KISS & HELL. See you there!!

CHAT INFO:
What: Online Chat with Dakota Cassidy
When: Thursday, June 25th @ 9pm ET
Where:
TKA Chat Room
How Do You Chat: Visit the chat room here: http://client1.addonchat.com/sc.php?id=115545. Enter a username and password (this can be any combination).
Your computer must be Java enabled to chat




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