New Cover for the Print Edition

The print edition of The Beast of Blackbirch Manor is now on sale! This edition has a brand new cover. I was so thrilled I made a book video to give readers an idea of what's inside the book. Go to New Concepts Publishing and buy your copy of the book today.

Five Tombstone Review for Dark Phoenix!!!

Dark Phoenix has received a FIVE tombstone review from Justice at Bitten by Books! Thank you so much, Justice!

Here's a snippet of her review!

Dark Phoenix is a dramatic action packed page turner. Once the first page is opened you are instantly transported to a desert planet not fit for human kind, it is so well written your mouth will parch. I felt as if I was part of the story, like a ghost unseen in each scene. Literally, in my mind’s eye I could see the action, the jarring of the battles vibrated my seat, the seductive caresses of the love shared between the characters made me yearn to curl up next to someone special. Ms. Matthews has definitely did it again she brings her audience into her world and if most are like me they will want to stay there a while.
Justice, Bitten By Books!
Read the full review by following this link! Dark Phoenix review!

~Marly

New Video Trailer For Sojourn With A Stranger

Please check out my new video trailer and vote by clicking on title above! Thanks, Kat Bryan

Sojourn With A Stranger Receives FIVE Stars

Sojourn With A Stranger was selected as a ROR Reading Challenge and reviewed by Heather's Reading Romance Blog. Thank you, Heather, for the wonderful review!

February, 2009
Sojourn With A Stranger
K. Celeste Bryan
Rating: 5 stars * * * * *

Blurb:

Penniless when she arrives in Norfolk , her mother and father drowned at sea, Raine Brinsley would give anything to return home to her grandfather in Maine . When Derek Stafford, owner of a large plantation, offers a solution to her dilemma, she’s stunned, if not outraged. She’d prefer to fulfill the contract to have his child and forget about him and his self-serving scheme. But she hadn’t counted on the decadently-delicious passion he’d awakened in her.

Derek’s only desire was to father an heir for Stafford House, thus securing his future. He didn’t count on the Scottish lass with dark green eyes to interfere with his well-laid plans. But after one night in her arms, guilt, not to mention the loss of his heart, became his penance. Now he’d do anything to get her back, anything to quench the hunger and passion tormenting his soul.

Review:

My Thoughts: ***Sigh*** What can I say...

This was such a good book! K. Celeste Bryan did a superb job in this story!!! I was immediately pulled into the story of Raine and Derek.

Raine is a young woman full of Scottish blood... and we all know how stubborn those Scots can be! When faced with the tragic loss of her parents she finds herself stranded in Norfolk without a penny and refusing to write to the only relative she has left. She will not except Derek's offering to pay her way home, willing only to work in his employ to save money to make her own way home. Derek comes up with another plan... a very selfish one at that. If Raine agrees to Derek's schemes she will have enough money to get home, take care of her Grandfather, and never worry about money again.

Bryan makes you love, hate, and pity Derek. He was selfish and selfless. He blames himself for his late wife losing her mind, that and the decisions he has made since Raine showed up on his doorstep sends him running from Stafford Hall when Raine needs him the most.

I didn't want the story to end. It was another late night of reading...

There was love, loss, mystery, and ghosts in this book. It is a must read that has landed a permanent spot on my shelf under favorites!!

Posted by Heather at HEATHER'S READING ROMANCE

Labels: ebook, HR, K. Celeste. Bryan, paranormal, rating:5, spicey, winter '08 challenge

Thanks, Heather,

The Condom Conundrum

What Makes a Romance

When I read a romance there are a couple of things I demand. First and foremost, a HEA. Don’t have it? Then it ain’t a romance and don’t try to sell it to me as one. Second, when I’m reading a love scene, I don’t want to be thrown out of the read. I want to enjoy the fantasy of romantic, uninhibited, steamy sex. I read a love scene the other night where the hero stopped to put on a condom and the heroine was worried it (the condom) was going to bust as the hero was rolling it over his erection.

I’m guessing it was the author’s way of saying the guy was HUGE *and* how thoughtful and caring he was by putting a condom on before he had sex with the heroine. Unfortunately the great sexual tension that had been built up to that moment was completely lost as I burst out laughing at the image of a guy with a fat c*ck trying not to break a condom he was putting on. Not the image I’m sure the author was going for. As a result, I couldn’t get back into the read. I’m still chuckling as I think about it! LOL So I thought it might make for a fun blog or at the very least give me a bully pulpit to do a point/counterpoint on the issue of condoms in romance books .*grin*

Jane You Misguided, Miserable Slut

The points in the following mini-debate are paraphrased commentary I’ve heard from several different sources over the last year or so. The counterpoints are my POV. Neither side is right or wrong. It’s just about what some readers (including me) are comfortable with in a book and what they’re not.

Point – Condoms are necessary because I expect characters to act responsibly in a book. If the hero doesn’t pull out a condom during a love scene, it’s not realistic. I want the hero to say “I care” by pulling out that foil wrapper. It doesn't have to be added into the love scene, but I need to know wrappers are laying on the floor either before or after the scene. When I don’t see a condom used, it throws me out of the read and most of the time I'll put the book down.

Counterpoint – If we’re talking realism, how about this, if the condom goes on, it has to come off. When it comes off, it’s got that ick factor, because one hopes that the guy's been satisfied. Why don’t authors show that realism too? Probably because it’s not romantic. I find it curious that we don’t demand similar standards for love scenes in movies. I watched Maid in Manhattan this past weekend and I didn’t see one single wrapper the morning after. Same for James Bond and all the women he’s had over the years. If we can assume protection is used in a movie’s love scene is there some reason we cannot assume the same thing for a romance book. Or are we to apply a different standard of entertainment to a book versus a movie simply because it’s a book, or more specifically a romance book? Is this some way of legitimizing romance?

Point – A condom used by the hero in a romance shows he cares about the heroine. It makes me believe he cares and respects her enough because he’s aware of STDs or doesn’t want to impregnate her. He’s more heroic when he pulls out a condom. It shows he cares.

Counterpoint – When reading a sexy romance we generally assume a couple having sex for the first time is either in love or almost in love. If a reader can take that leap of faith, why is it so difficult to assume protection isn’t being used just because the author doesn’t actually show it? As for being heroic, if a couple has sex in a book without being in love or at least halfway there that first time or two, I find that even more unheroic than a hero who doesn’t pop on a condom. Even if the work is Erotic Romance or Erotica, why would a hero wear a condom, but turn around and perform oral sex. You can get STDs from oral sex, just like unprotected sex. Again, it’s about letting the reader make up their own mind. I believe readers are intelligent people. They don’t need things dumbed down for them. I’m sure they can assume that protection is a logical part of the sex act and it's not necessary for a satisfying read.

Point – It’s an author’s responsibility to add in safe sex issues in their work because we live in a society where STDs and unwanted pregnancies are a major issue. We need to consider that there are impressionable minds out there. To not show safe sex in a book is irresponsible of the author.

Counterpoint – While STDs and unwanted pregnancies are a societal issue, and can be addressed in a romance if an author so chooses, it’s not an author’s responsibility to educate readers on safe sex, particularly when awareness about the issue is quite prevalent in our society.

One can also turn the STD issue around and view it as maybe the hero is using a condom because he’s got a STD he doesn’t want to transmit to the heroine. If that were the case, why hasn’t he been cured? If it’s incurable, then that needs to be addressed LONG before the couple has sex. If the hero doesn’t tell the heroine he’s got a problem, that’s unheroic. If he doesn’t have an STD, is he perhaps afraid the heroine will give him something if he doesn't put on a condom? Naturally, these are exaggerations and unlikely points that would appear in a romance (although it might make for an interesting read), but the point is that using STDs as a reason for including a condom in romance is to me ridiculous.

The fear of pregnancy however I understand, and I could buy this factor if it’s stated that’s the reason for a condom being used. But again, this is fiction and the heroine won’t get pregnant unless the author deems it so (or the character) so it nullifies the need for a condom.

Point – Romance is supposed to show realism in the development of characters and their relationship. Authors need to be cognizant of this issue and ensure that realism is added into their books.

Counterpoint – If realism is the point of using condoms, then I put forth the argument that realism needs to extend beyond the condoms to more realistic heroes and heroines. Men who aren’t super hot sex machines (although I do love a hottie in a romance). Forget about men who're drop dead gorgeous with abs that are hard as a tree trunk or flat stomachs or perfect bodies in general. We need heroines that don’t have long silky hair, lovely faces, a svelte figure or other fabulous qualities. Let’s add to our love scenes those moments of skin flapping against skin as lovers copulate. What about those flatulence sounds that occur occasionally when a c*ck pops in and out a certain way. (*evil grin*) Those are all realistic sounds and images. Why aren’t they depicted? I don’t know about you, but there’s a definite, eeewwww factor in there for me. It just doesn’t make for a hot, steamy, ROMANTIC love scene IMHO.

For me personally, condoms in a love scene just aren't romantic. They're about being politically correct and the promoting of a safe sex agenda. I don’t write them because I believe they detract from a love scene. I think writing condoms into a love scene has to be a decision of each individual author. If a reader expects political correctness, it won’t be found in my books. I write romance. Romance that entertains. Romance that’s escapism and fantasy with core values such as love, empowerment, hope and HEAs, because the reality is life doesn’t always come with HEAs. I'm not about preaching safe sex to a reader. I think my readers are intelligent enough to figure out that safe sex is something you practice in the real world, and it’s not necessary to have it in a romance book that’s created to entertain you. When I explained this blog to the DH, his reaction was a *snort* and then "Get real, it's a fantasy." Guess I've got one believer in my court. LOL

Counting Blessings

I have a house. While it might not be an ideal house, it’s still mine and I’m not in foreclosure thanks to someone reassuring me that “interest rates won’t go up that much.” There are a lot of people who are in the midst of losing their house or without a place to live, and I wish I were Warren Buffett rich to help as many as I could. Particularly the kids. No kid should go homeless or hungry. It just isn’t right.

I have a job. A lot of writers work two jobs. Making a living at writing is not easy, so a great many of us work day jobs (or nights) with our writing occurring whenever we can. Me, I can’t quit work because of debt, but at least I have a job that helps me keep my head above water. After a day at work, I come home and write from 8pm-12am most weekdays and my weekends are 12-16 hour writing blitzes. I hope to quit the day job in the near future, but the stars have to align properly for that (as in no debt). BUT, at least I do have a job. There are a lot of people who don’t these days, and my heart goes out to them. Without a job, you can’t keep a roof over your head, keep your kids clothed and fed or simply live.

I have a great family. While my kids and husband often find ways to annoy me (and yes, I annoy them too), I do have a wonderful family. For all their faults, my girls have big hearts and they just want to protect those who can’t fend for themselves. The DH, aka as Tim “Toolman” Taylor, is a good man. He puts up with a lot where I’m concerned, as do all Betas with their Alpha mates. Although there have been a couple of times of late where he’s displayed some Alpha tendencies. I wonder what fireworks will bring if this trend continues. Still he’s a great guy, and anyone who can put up with me for 22.5 years of marriage and 25 years total is either pretty tolerant or just head over heels in love. I prefer to hold to my illusions that he’s still in love with me. LOL

I have three wonderful blog mates. This is a competitive business we’re in and yet our support for each other on the blog and behind the scenes speaks to the heart of what I love about romance writers. We are, for the most part, genuinely happy to see someone else succeed in this tough business. Not only that, but this blog has been a growth process for me, an experience in learning the art of refining my apology technique. But then as I understand it from Natalie, my blunders tend to drive our numbers up. (No Natalie, I’m not suggesting you think I should blunder more often! LOL) Cathy, Natalie and Mac are three of the bestest people in the world, and being included in this blog is like having a second home.

I have decent health. No I’m not in as good of shape as I was when I first got married. In fact, even trying to get that healthy again is pretty much impossible. Age just doesn’t let you do what you used too. But, I’ve adjusted to my bionic status, although I would sure like a newer chassis so I could just look MAV-A-LOS. Besides with a newer chassis, I’d know what NOT to do to ensure the chassis lasted a lot longer.

I have a three-book deal with Berkley. I really didn’t expect to have a deal by the end of the year. I thought if I was going to land a deal it would come in 2009 as publishers started filling more of the 2010 slots. As it turns out, my first mass market is set for March 2010. I think my calculations were a bit off. I also expect better things to come in 2009 as I move my career up the next rung on the ladder.

So when I sit down to that nice Thanksgiving dinner I’ve got planned, I’ll give thanks for my good fortune and offer up a blessing for those who are not as fortunate as I am. It might be a Christmas line, but Tiny Tim’s words are valid at any time of the year. God Bless Us, Every One.

It's the Rules, Writer

There are advantages to going last in the blog rotation. That way if you haven’t had time to write a post, you’ve got a little extra time to post. So thus begins my current blog. I’ve nothing to write about…no wait, I remember a topic that popped into my head when Cathy posted about loops and people advising newbies.So here's my advice FWIW...

Memorize The Rules

First off, it’s important to clarify what are “rules” and what are guidelines. Everything is a guideline.

Rule 1 – ALWAYS know your grammar rules. You cannot succeed in your craft without the book being legible. Know the difference between effect and affect (don’t ask me, I have to look it up every time. *grin*) But even this is smoke and mirrors because I've had editors remove semi-colons and commas to keep readers from tripping over breaks. Remember guideline!

Rule 2 – Know who’s POV your in and then only switch that POV every chapter. Then forget this rule. It’s a guideline. If you do something well (head hop) then all is forgiven.

Rule 3 – Make sure your Chapter heading starts exactly 2.5 inches from the top of a page. Ummm, remember when I said there are rules and there are guidelines. This is a guideline, and submitting a book with a heading placement at 2.25 or 3 inches is not a deal breaker. Worry about the content. While this rule is still a guideline, it's pretty reasonable to expect that your manuscript should be delivered to an agent/editor in a general format of 1-in margins and a reasonable heading starting a few lines from the top of the paper. Want some help with this one? Check out the article I wrote for newbies (Here). I've never been rejected by an editor because of formatting, although I did have a judge measure from the top of the page to where my heading started. I was off by a quarter of an inch according to her comments. Give me a break! No--BREAK the damn rule!

Rule 4 – One inch margins are standard pretty much across the board. HOWEVER, if you’re entering a contest and you need to get that last two paragraphs of a chapter on page 55, use the margin of .85 or .9, it's really hard to tell that your margins are off that one inch mark if you use .85 or .9. And if a judge does measure the margins, and docks you, know this. They would have gone out of their way to find something else nitpicky anyway. So you’d be screwed no matter what.

Rule 5 – Contests are crapshoot. You can enter one and win first place with your manuscript in front of an editor. OTOT, you can enter a different contest and not even final. I’ve entered about 10-15 contests. I finaled in three. The books I finaled with did not sell to New York. Something entirely else did. Contests should never be used as a reasonable expectation of a critique. The feedback you get can run the gamut. Unless you get the same kind of feedback from three or more judges, toss the commentary aside because it’s rarely useful. Don’t forget this rule, just know that the aforementioned statements are guidelines.

Rule 6 – Never, never, under any circumstances, use any other font BUT Courier 12pt. Forget this rule, it’s a guideline. In fact, “most” publishers now prefer Times New Roman 12pt. Right, forget that rule too, instead, try reading the publisher guidelines. That’s the authoritative word, not another writer.

Rule 7 – The number of pages per chapter should be 20 pages and no more. Forget this rule, it’s a guideline. While you don’t want to let a chapter drag on for 40 pages, if you go over 20 it’s not a deal breaker. Nor is it a deal breaker to have short chapters of 3, 2 or 1 pages. A chapter is as long as it needs to be. Write it that way and forget the rules.

Rule 8 – Never, NEVER, write a prologue. Readers hate them and they’re just a way to put in back story. Forget this rule. It’s a guideline. It is possible to provide a prologue that reveals something crucial to the plot that can’t be shown in Chapter 1. But it’s a guideline.

Rule 9 – Always show versus tell. Narrative is bad, very, very bad. Umm, forget this rule. It’s a guideline. Sometimes you can’t do anything else BUT tell. Again, it’s a guideline. It’s far better to show something than tell, but there will be times when telling is pretty much the best way to go.

Rule 10 – NEVER, EVER follow Rules 1- 9. They’re guidelines, not rules. The sooner a writer recognizes that something isn’t a rule, but a guideline, the better off they are.

Forget The Damn Rules

Oh, wait, there is ONE great rule to follow.

Write the good book (thank you Claire Delacroix/Deb Cook for those four words of wisdom).

Now go forth and break rules