Women 101...

Okay, first off, if you're popping in here to enter the contest, please remember to leave you contact information and what 2 books you'd like from my backlist in the comments section of the previous post... all entries must be made on the post with the lovely animated banner (yeah, I made that... pretty cool, huh) so we can keep things straight. You can imagine how hard it'd be to have to scroll through multiple comment sections to see who put in the correct information. Oh, and please remember to leave you name at all 6 blogs, along with the books you'd like from that author. While I'm flattered you love Suzanne's books so much, you'd like a copy from me, too, I can't put your information into the all mighty spread sheet until I have all of it.

Now, onto today's post... and wow... look at me go. Another post and we're still in the first week of January... but hey, my life is crazy, or is it just me. Okay, so I'm sure many of you are finally back to some semblance of normal after a wild and crazy holiday season. I'm one of those folks that doesn't begrudge having the kids home, but all the hectic chaos associated with Christmas can really take a toll...on everything. Take men and women for example...the holidays gives us more time to spend with our partners and to rediscover, yet again, why nine hours apart each day is a godsend.

Now don't get me wrong. I love me some man time, but hey... there are some simple rules men need to follow in order to save the woman from spending endless hours chatting with her BFF to see if they know anyone... yes anyone... who might fall into the category of hired hit man. So... I thought I'd save some time and write a few things down, so others may learn from the tragedy of those who have come before....

1 - Directions. I love traveling and going to see friends is a fabulous way to spend some of your holidays, but here's the thing... women have a much better time when you actually get the instructions to said friend's house. And no... knowing that the house is brown with white trim is not enough... knowing that the house resides somewhere east of town, isn't quite enough either. And for the record gentlemen... spitting out the window to see which direction the wind is blowing doesn't give you omnipotent powers... so please... get the directions and have a map. Or get the iphone app for the built-in GPS... there are several for that.

2 - The use of the word fat. Okay, I don't care if you do mean it as phat and that it's all the rage... nothing good will ever come from this word, so strike it from your vocabulary. Now! And no, it doesn't matter if you're referring to the bulldog on the fido commercial... seriously... lose it.

3 - Movies. Hey, us ladies love action/adventure flicks as much as you guys do, but here's the thing. When the hero finally gets to kiss the girl, don't moan and slump in your seat as if someone just kicked you in your junk...or worse...turn to your lady and comment on how hot the woman is...or you might be slumping in your seat because she just kicked you in your junk.

Well, that's a start. The lessons are endless, but three is a good starting point.

I hope you all are having a great week, and don't forget to scroll down if you're here to enter the contest.

Welcome to 2011! And what better way to celebrate than with a brand new Nook Color!

Six sexy authors of erotic romance are coming together with a fabulous giveaway to usher in the New Year! And entering couldn't be simpler.

Just visit each of the six authors' blogs beginning January 3rd, and leave a comment on the contest post (this one) with:

your name (or user name) and contact email, and

your top two (2) choices from the author's backlist to kick-start your Nook library should you win.

Contest will close at Noon ET on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, and a winner will be drawn at 1:11pm ET from all the readers who commented on all six blogs:

Gwendolyn Cease at gwendolyncease.blogspot.com
Suzanne Graham at suzannegraham.blogspot.com
Bronwyn Green at bronwyngreenblog.blogspot.com
Jessica Jarman at jessicajarman.blogspot.com
Kris Norris at krisnorris.blogspot.com
Devon Rhodes at devonrhodes.blogspot.com

The Grand Prize winner will receive a brand new Nook Color and two ebooks of their choice from each author!
Second Prize will be winner's choice of ebook from each author's backlist!
Third Prize will be winner's choice of an available print book personalized and signed by the author!

More surprises and prizes at each blog, so what are you waiting for? The clock is ticking, and when it comes up all ones, you could be the winner!!

Details, shmetails:

• In order to be eligible for the drawing, you must leave a comment at each of the six blogs with your email address and choice of two books. We're sorry, but anyone who misses a blog or forgets to leave their contact info will be disqualified.
  
• All comments must be posted by 12:00 Noon, ET, on January 11th.
  
• Valid entry comments must be in response to the official Contest post on each blog, although we also welcome comments on other posts, so feel free to poke around!
  
• The Nook will be shipped directly from the store to the winner's house. Ebooks will be emailed separately to the winner.
  
• Winner must respond to Jessica within three days or an alternate winner will be announced.

And as an extra welcome to 2011, I'll draw one name from those on my blog who don't win and they will receive the two ebooks from my backlist specified above as a thank you for joining in the fun. And if you're wondering where to find a list of available books, I've listed the titles. You can find links to blurbs and excerpts by scrolling down a bit and looking on the right sidebar...or you can visit my website at www.krisnorris.ca and search flip through the New Releases and Bookcase sections.

Dark Prophecy: Sacred Talisman

Dark Prophecy: Twice Bitten

'Til Death: Deadly Vision

'Til Death: Deadly Obsession

Centrefold

Checkmate

Enchanted Lovers: Healing Hands

Worlds Apart

Photo Finish: A Handcuffs and Lace Tale

Threefold Anthology: Keeping Faith (plus 5 other stories)

Hard Target

Good luck to all, and thanks for making 2010 a fabulous year. I hope you have a safe and prosperous 2011.

Cover Art... I has it!

Hey all.

Well, looks like 2011 is starting out fabulously. I have new cover art for my upcoming Phases book entitled Coyote Savage:Hunger Moon. And before I say another word, I want to do a shout out to Les Beverly who designed this cover, along with all the other covers in the collection. Another amazing job Les...he's also the cover artist for Worlds Apart and Hard Target...two of my favourite covers...I actually use the Worlds Apart for a number of my picture icons. I just love the browns and oranges of the planet on that cover. As for this one... wow... I love the lightning and the gorgeous moon at the bottom. Keep 'em coming Les.

Now Coyote Savage is one of twelve books in a fabulous new collection in which six authors—myself, Bronwyn Green, Brynn Paulin, Mia Watts, Cheryl Dragon and Abigail Barnette—each write two stories tied to the different phases of the full moon for their month. I was lucky enough to draw February and July, so I've got the Hunger Moon and the Thunder Moon.

The other required elements for this collection is that all of the books have to be a ménage (either M/M/M or more, or M/F/M or more) and at least one of the characters has to be a shifter. As you've guessed, my first book involves coyote shifters... the men are the shifters this time... whereas in my next book, the lone female will be a shifter, Bobcat to be exact. This is my first book involving shifting and I'm totally thrilled.

Anyway, I'll be posting more about the series later. I really just wanted to show off the new cover... and did you notice that I have a new header, in which there is a snippet of this cover? Well, yeah, I was trying to waste time the other day, so...

I hope the first couple of days in the new year are going well. I'm off to Squamish today to visit some, dare I say, old friends... gee. When did I get old enough to say I've known someone for twenty years, and I wasn't five when we met? Oh, the shame. And Monday starts the push for keeping my resolutions... here's hoping my body holds out.

Happy New Year...

Just a quick note to say Happy New Year. I hope 2010 went out with a bang and that 2011 is starting off just a fabulous.

I'll be officially announcing the contest on the third so be sure to stop by and enter for your chance to win a brand new Nook Color.

Until then, enjoy the last day or two of the holidays and remember to stay safe and have fun.

Testing my Tech Savvy,

Well, without disclosing any secrets, lol, I'm trying out a new banner program and need somewhere to post the trials as I go...so blogger seems like the best candidate. I'm getting together with a group of other authors to do a giveaway in the New Year...kind of a hey, you didn't get it for Christmas so let's call it a New Year's present.

So please excuse the constantly changing banners as I try to get one that pleases six women... this could take awhile:)

Bring on 2011...

Okay, so for today, I'm double posting here and over at Hitting the Hot Spot, but hey, this one is too important to not post here. It's my turn for sharing my upcoming resolutions and while I'm usually don't make any, this year things are going to change. It seems natural to anticipate a new start and make plans for what the future might bring. Though I do think it's funny how we all wait until January to make resolutions, when we have 364 other days to make the same ones...but hey, I'm just as guilty.

As it turns out, I've also been putting off being accountable for some aspects of my life until the new year, and as the days dwindle away, I'm realizing it's time to start holding true to my upcoming goals...but are they realistic? Can I be dedicated to keeping them for more than a week or two? Well, there's no better way than to put your thoughts out there so others can ask how it's going...yup, the people pleaser in me is shining through.

So, for this year, I actually have a list of things I want to either improve on or just plain get cracking on...

1 - I want to blog more often...as you may have noticed, even this post is a bit late. I should have posted last night, but, as I was preoccupied with the kids, I let it slide and wrote it this morning. I'm really going to try to post something on my personal blog three times a week. Lord knows my personal life has more than enough chaos to keep me going...I just need to stop moving long enough to write it down.

2 - Training...this is the year I'm going to kick my butt into some serious shape. Yeah, I know, this one is on everyone's list, but there's a race I want to do....7 days on a mountain bike through the Rocky Mountains...and if I don't get into some seriously good shape, well, my bike might have to make the trip alone.

3 - Write...okay, I know, this is down there on the list, but the list isn't in order...it's just out there. I got more than overwhelmed with other jobs last year and my writing really took a backseat to some other stuff. I only pounded some books out when my friends hounded me and that has got to change. So I'm going to dedicate time everyday to writing and commit myself to writing at least 8 books this year... yup, 8 is the minimum. I'd love to aim for 10, but I do have to work and I do have a family and there's resolution number two, lol....so yeah, 8.

4 - I need to get and keep my website (and some friends' sites) up-to-date without anyone having to ask. I'm usually pretty good about this, but lately, I just don't know where the time goes. I mean, I have these great plans to do all this stuff, then don't end up getting anything done. But that's all going to change. And why? Because a new year is the perfect time for a new start and a new attitude. So for those of you who drum your fingers wondering when I'm going to update your website, drum no more... I'm on it.

And finally, 5 - Try to appreciate my kids more and make sure they don't end up on a list somewhere. I really do try to put them first, but I need to make sure I don't sweat the small stuff. I've been a bit, well um, uptight lately, and I just need to relax. After all, they are the best thing that ever happened to me and I want them to know it...always.

Okay, so there you have it. The top 5 resolutions for the year. I could have easily have listed more, but let's be realistic folks. Just keeping these will be a challenge for me, so who needs to make unachievable goals. I think these are within reach, if I attempt to get a bit more organized and a little less easily distracted... yup, that's me... doing something then suddenly, squirrel! (those of you who saw the movie UP will understand)

So, what are your resolutions? And not just those things you say because, well, you have to say something. Are you really going to make some that you can stick to and think will make a difference in your life? I'd love to know. I plan on updating these resolutions on my blog (yup, to keep that first resolution) so drop by anytime and help me stay accountable.

I hope everyone enjoys these last few days of 2010...make the most of them and join me in raising a toast to the incoming year. May 2011 bring your dreams to light and your worries to an end. See you next year (oh, I just love saying that)!

cheers,

Kris

Life gets in the way of Hard Target, lol...

Well, it's been nearly three weeks since Hard Target came out and you guessed it, I haven't blogged a thing. What is it about the last couple of months of the year that suck every moment of life out of you? I've been busy with kids. My two boys had a hockey tournament up-island. A rather enjoyable weekend. I love watching both of my boys play hockey together. They actually get along and to see them encourage each other really is special for me. I consider myself very lucky. As far as brothers go, they don't really fight, but when they work together...yeah, I can see them in a band together later or opening a business together. Hey, let me dream :)

Anyway, the weekend was a grand success...they finished second...with one exception. The dog ate a seat belt and injured another. I don't know what it is about seat belts, but Bandit decided we had far too many in the SUV and helped herself. Needless to say, I wasn't impressed, though I am trying to find the humour in it now. Lucky I love her so darn much, lol.

In other news, my youngest son, Jared, had the lead role in the Christmas concert—I know, concert implies singing and yes, they sang their little hearts out, but it was a medieval Christmas and he played the part of the Squire. He was brilliant (yes, I can say that even though he's my son) and didn't miss a line. He looked so natural up there and was the only kid who had to memorize more than a line or two... he had several scenes. We're fortunate enough to have a fabulous music teacher at our school and I enjoyed every moment on the performance. I even had to videotape it as a fund raiser for the school...the video editing comes later, when there's actually time. Thank God for iMovie and making life easy.

So, with those reasons safely tucked in my pocket, it's little reason I haven't blogged about my latest release—Hard Target. I'm actually kind of surprised as this book is very dear to me. It was the first book I ever wrote and has probably seen more revisions than Michael Jackson. But in the end, I love how it all turned out and can't wait until it's available at all the third party retailers. Right now you can pick it up at Resplendence Publishing... http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/263-201-108-454-3--hard-target-by-kris-norris.html.

Here's the blurb...

A promise worth dying for…a woman determined to save him. All that stands between them and success is ten thousand feet and a mile of ice.

Ex-Federal agent Kyle Sullivan can’t afford any distractions. He’s in the middle of a highly volatile mission and the last thing he needs is to fall for the woman he’s entrusted his life to. But his heart has other plans.

Taylor Austin isn’t sure what to think of her new client, the not so bookish “professor” Kyle Sullivan. Everything about him screams sexy, and she can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding something. But just her luck, all he seems interested in is trekking his ass half-way across a glacier to a deserted cave. And in October, the Rocky Mountains couldn’t be more treacherous. If they can just make it across the ice sheet, perhaps she can convince him that she’s more interesting than his ancient artifacts.

Taylor is everything Kyle ever wanted in a woman…smart, strong and a whole lot of trouble. But he needs her, and not just to fill the emptiness inside him. She’s the only guide capable of getting him to a remote hideout alive, and that’s worth risking everything…even his heart.

I've decided to make one of my New Year's resolutions to actually blog... yes, to find a way out from beneath that heavy furniture and hide in the house just long enough to get some words out...but there is another passion that will be interfering in my life next year. A dear friend and I are planning on participating in the 10th annual TransRockies Challenge. It's a seven day, multi-stage mountain bike race that starts in Fernie, BC and ends in Canmore, AB... it's an epic ride and if we're actually going to do it we'll be spending more and more time on the bike as the months go by. But I will endeavour to blog far more. After all, my life is chaotic and I'm certain you'd all love hearing about my daily battles with it... right?

Thanks and here's to a great kick-off of the 2010 Holiday season.