1. Monica Said,

   Congratulations, Kim!!! I’m terribly envious, but I’m heading over to the EC site RIGHT NOW to get my own copy. Denise, are you sure you can’t take pity on poor (literal translation) me and send me a copy too?

2. Janet H Said,

   Congrats to Kim!! And it’s mid morning (3/21) over here and shhhh! I’m still in my robe and pj’s. Gotta get up and get going.

   Have a wonderful day, Denise. Congrats on STRONGMAN.

3. Monica Said,

   Oh yeah, and it’s a sick day at our house so I’ve got on a friend’s old t-shirt which is dress-like (hey, Denise, maybe you should borrow the Mr. Gorgeous shirt-dress and we could be twins!). About to make some brunch and try really hard not to spend the whole day reading Strongman (I’ve got to travel this evening but once I start reading, I really get carried away).

   BTW, I just finished reading all of Alice’s story, Colin & Alice, and Ritha & Talon’s tale (that could almost be a pun if I thought really hard about it). Starting on Kate’s story now. Your character’s are so real, it’s like I know them. It’s no wonder you are one of my favorite authors!!!

   Keep up the good work!

4. Andrea Said,

   Congrats to Kim!

   And congrats to Denise on the official release of STRONGMAN!!

   Jammy pants and a T-shirt/tank top for me. Still wearing them despite the fact that it’s almost noon!

5. Denise Said,

   Hey there, Monica. Hope you can sneak in some reading time in between soothing fevered brows. At least it sounds like you’re comfy!

   Good to hear you enjoyed all the free stories. I wrote A Creature of Habit and The Heart’s Desire ages ago, before I started writing erotic romance, long before I was published, but I thought they were worth putting up there. It’s nice to be able to offer readers something for their loyalty. And anyway, otherwise they wouldn’t get read. Stories need to be read!

   Amorous Alice, and of course, Kate, belong as much to the readers as they do to me!

6. Denise Said,

   Thanks, Janet. I won’t tell anyone you aren’t dressed yet, if you won’t.

7. Denise Said,

   Thanks, Andrea. Sounds like you’re having a lovely, lazy morning. Enjoy!

8. Jen Said,

   I’ve been waiting for this! I’m so excited to read it, I’ve been waiting to buy it until after classes done because I know I won’t be able to stop reading it for class if I don’t wait and it’s in my “hands.” I’ll get back to you on what I think later!

9. Denise Said,

   My word, Jen, that’s excellent self-discipline. I’m impressed. But it won’t take long to read, it’s not as long as GIFT OF THE GODDESS, let alone TAILSPIN. Anyway, all feedback gratefully received. Whenever.

   And I have to go to sleep now. I can barely keep my eyes open. You guys talk among yourselves. I’ll be baaack…

10. Susan Said,

    Congratulations Denise for your fourth Ellora’s Cave publication! And to Kim for winning the free copy. Fear not, it is already purchased. I am just mad that I got a commission for 40 pages translation with a deadline for Wednesday (on top of an already heavy workload), and I don’t know that I can pull an all-nighter here, but I can tell you I want to. I am going to PEAK. You know, read just a little bit more. Then I am going to try to exercise discipline. I have to tell you Denise, good books and chocolate are where my discipline is slimmest. (I won’t say a word about my waistline I’m afraid from the previous sentence you can draw your own conclusions). PJs in winter, with the occasional nightie, but tank tops in summer. I’d wear nothing, but when it gets hot here to you stick to your own self and really feel even hotter. Yeah! for your pyjama party. I hope you had mimosas! And pancakes!

11. Susan Said,

    Sorry having posted, I see I meant PEEK , not climb a mountain

12. cathy m Said,

    WTG Kim. I am flannel pj girl, and if I’m really lucky, one day a week, with my hubby working 24 hour shifts, I declare a pajama day, and just hunker down, stay warm, and read a great book.

13. Denise Said,

    Oh Susan, me too! If I’m really enjoying a book I have to gobble it up in one big bite. I’m no good at all at marking the place and going back later. Hopeless. I’m a night owl by nature, so I’ll happily sacrifice sleep. It has to be pretty good though - good enough to suspend that bitchy internal editor of mine. *sigh*

    I LOVE your idea of a pyjama party! But sadly, I had a soothing cup of chamomile tea. It was late here, and then it became very late and I was soooo excited - but also so tired.

14. Denise Said,

    Ah Cathy, there’s something so comforting about flannel PJs, as well as comforting. And how nice to have the occasional day to yourself. That sort of “cave” time is something we all need.

15. Dani Said,

    I’m getting ready to buy Strongman as I type. I can’t wait to get into Fort and Griff’s story. Squeeeeeee!!!

    As for my PJs, I just wear a nice old worn T-shirt or a cotton nightgown with straps instead of sleeves to bed. I’d love to wear thermal and/or flannel PJs, but since I live in such a tropical place and it’s always hot here (Florida) I can’t. Oh well, I guess you can say it’s a trade off for not haveing to shovel snow and all that.

16. Denise Said,

    Let me know what you think, Dani. All feedback gratefully received.

    I thought it got quite cold in Florida in winter? Cold enough for cosy PJs? It’s subtropical here, but I still need my proper PJs in winter, even with My Beloved, who is a one-man heating unit.

17. Lami Said,

    YAY! another book in the series. Thanks, I love the series.
    And as I live in Sydney and it is Saturday lunchtime here…I am still in my PJ’s. LOL gotta love a long weekend.

    Cheers,
    Lami

18. Pamela Said,

    *clutches Strongman to her chest*

    OMG! Finally!!!

    Out of my work clothes and into something comfortable. But not my fleece jammies yet. They are in the wash.

    I’ll be back with comments… soon.

19. Susan Said,

    I love you… I hate you…
    I loved them… I want more…
    I need sleep… I WANT MORE…
    It’s half past five in the morning. PEEK - hah let me laugh.
    Thanks
    I W A N T M O R E
    Sleep… I need sleep… I need them too… Curse you and bless you Denise…

20. Caffey Said,

    Hi Denise! Its Cathie. I made it here. Gosh your blog rocks! Its so fun here. Tell your hubby he did great modeling! Maybe we’ll see him on a book cover of yours some day And you so got a fab cover for STRONGMAN! The cover gods have been so good to you!

    One thing, is I got to have my socks on for bedtime. Its always so cold here that I never go without them. For Christmas, my daughter gave me a PJ set. Now before this, I never owned any PJ’s (yes I have a few nighties that are for special occasions ) but I never had a PJ set in so many years! I have to say tho, they are so comfy and warm! They are flannel and for the cold winters here, they are perfect. Otherwise its always been a big t-shirt and thin sweatpants for sleeping in. Thats what I’m in now.

    Have fun at your PJ party!

21. Denise Said,

    Welcome, Lami. Another Aussie, yay!

    I absolutely LOVE the world of Phoenix. I can see it all so clearly, but there is also so much still to explore. You realise there are ten Nations? But we’ve only seen - the Feolin, the Children of the Mother, the Hssrda (boo!) and the Kingdom of the Leaves of the Sea. I’m not even sure the Travelers of the Ten Nations Fair constitute a Nation. Nope, they don’t.

    And so far, I haven’t done any kind of shifters, or vampires. I like to be different, so Belladonna is my closest to a vampire. What do you think of a bunrat-were? Think I could make him sexy? Might be an uphill battle. *giggle*

22. Denise Said,

    Okay, Pamela. *folds hands and waits patiently*

23. Denise Said,

    Oh, Susan. Oh dear.

    Um, I’m so glad you’re so far away and probably passed out by now, because if you could see the size of my grin you’d hit me.

    There’s no greater compliment than keeping someone up all night. I freakin’ LOVE it!

    You can see, can’t you, why once Griff and Fort strolled into my head, I couldn’t get them out except by writing their story? To the extent I stole time from other projects to do it. I had to, so I could move forward with the rest of my writing life. And you know, even having done that, I can’t quite forget them. I suspect they’ll turn up again, working for Jan.

24. Denise Said,

    Caffey! You are so very welcome here! And yes, the Cover Gods have been extraordinarily kind to me. I LOVE the Big Top in the background of the STRONGMAN cover. I asked for it specially. And I don’t think I’ll mention to My Beloved you suggested him as a cover model. He says all my heroes are based on him, anyway. The sweetie.

    Feet are funny creatures, aren’t they? Can’t sleep unless they’re warm. I have a whole range of bed socks in virulent colours. Come to think of it, one pair is damson purple. (We’ve been talking about exotic colour words.)

25. Pamela Said,

    OK… I have inhaled it.

    

    *makes date with BOB after comments are finished*

    Another perfect blend of adventure, witty and meaningful dialouge, emotional ups and downs that resemble a roller coaster (a true indicater of a fantstic book, if my emotions are all over the place), hot, hot sex. Yeah I got to see how Fledge, Mirry & Jan were doing. I take it that someone will be going Hssrada hunting soon? Bloody Bastards

    And I imagine Griff & Fort have told you about the second match and Fort poor abused ass. Though I am sure Griff kissed it better. Are you going to share it with us one day? *gets down on knees, hands clasped in prayer* PLEASE!!!!

    Brilliant Denise, just fucking brilliant. I loved it.

    Now a were bunrat? Ummmm… no I can’t see how you could make that sexy. But a were high flyer, fellwolf or vran? They would make excellent ones. They are already smexy. BTW how are Brin, Trey & Ange & thier little girl? Will Mirry take Fledge to meet them? *fishes for more info*

    You can stop writing the other stuff and concentrate on Pheonix forever and I would be a happy camper.

    Thank you for this wonderful gift.

26. Amy Andrews Said,

    Hey Babe - big happy dances from me for Strongman.

27. Susan Said,

    Dear Denise, I have now woken up with a Strongman hangover. I had great fun with the boys, ran the gamut of emotions, a few palpitations - of the nicest kind - appreciated your use of descriptive adjectives and colours (and noticed them so much more after your thoughtful wordplay feature) and sucked up all those marvellous world-building details. I fell in love and wasn’t disappointed. And now I am bereft. I will be visiting the boys again (…and again… and again… and again…) and I will be going into great detail with them (and I don’t mean just the really hot sex scenes ), but as with any other addict (and yes, you’ve made me into an addict here, you story-pusher, you) I now crave more. MORE. And just to reiterate M O R E Not that Strongman isn’t a wonderful complete book, but there are so many more adventures for these characters to have. There you have it: Manipulative behaviour from addict. Fangirl squee! (I hide my head in shame - I never used to be this way). Thanks for the story and the characters Denise, they have made my month and something more and even more, and far rarer too, they were worth the wait and lived up to all my expectations. What more can I say?

28. Denise Said,

    Erm… You liked it then, Pamela? Thank you. As for the Hssrda, you’re just mean. *pout* I LOVE my Hssrda, it gives me enormous pleasure to make them simply awful.

    I’m still mulling over the next in the series. I have a couple of other projects on the go too, you know! Um, Big Hairy Deal things with beeyootiful covers that will put me in the bookstores. I think Book 4 will be set in Valaressa and I’m going to get everyone into it if I can, even Anje, Brin and Trey, though I’m not quite so sure about them. It’ll be some kind of murder/kidnap mystery and the Hssrda are behind it - of course. With someone nasty helping them. heh heh

    And Mirry did take Fledge back to Feolin to meet Trey. He told me about it in the interview we did.

    And yes, I have thought about an epilogue, which I might offer to my newsletter readers. Just know that it takes poor Griff ages to get to where he wants to be.

    Come on, a were-bunrat would have a fat furry bottom and big front teeth and whiskers. What’s not to love?

29. Denise Said,

    HI there, AA! Thanks a heap. I’m one happy camper, I can tell you! My guys are finally out there. Yeehah!

    Everyone, Amy Andrews writes the best medical romances ever! You can cut the sexual tension with a scalpel. They’re hawt! http://www.amyandrews.com.au/ AA’s a nurse (an Intensive Care nurse, wowsers) so she knows what she’s talking about. And they have Australian settings too. Wonderful reads.

30. Denise Said,

    Aw gee, Susan. *shuffles feet, trying to look modest* Seriously, I’m so glad STRONGMAN lived up to your expectations, especially after all the hype I’ve been doing. Your comments mean a lot. Thank you for making them.

31. Pamela Said,

    I remember now I read the interview but I think I was too facinated with Mirry’s Tail and the wine we were drinkng.

32. Elaine Said,

    Denise - I just sent you an email raving about Strongman. It was wonderful and I loved seeing Jan, Mirri, and Fledge again. I am so glad Jan is back from the heights.

    I want Fort to go find his womenfolk and bring them back with him. Any chance of that showing up in another story?

    I liked that Griff was as strong as Fort, both his personality and physically. I don’t particularly like gay stories where one of the men is an obvious bottom.

    Oh, and the PJ question, I don’t own any. I can’t stand to wear anything to bed, which is probably why the down comforter stays on the bed year round.

33. Amy Andrews Said,

    Aww shucks, Denise I’m blushing.
    Actually, seeing as how none of us here seem to mind talking sex I’m blogging over at the med authors blog - Love is the Best Medicine today on the subject of sex if any of you wanna pop on over
    http://www.medicalromance.blogspot.com/

34. Denise Said,

    Never mind, Pamela, I found the tail a trifle…um…distracting too. Not to mention the wine. Oh dear.

35. Denise Said,

    Glad you enjoyed it, Elaine. I loved visiting with Jan, Mirry and Fledge too. As for Fort’s mother and sisters, hmmm… Interesting idea, I’m considering it. You guys are asking for all sorts of different things - not sure I can work them all in unless I write the War and Peace of Phoenix.

    Effeminate men don’t do it for me, no matter how beautiful they are. I knew I wanted Griff to be Fort’s match in strength of character and masculinity. I’m relieved that it seems to have worked.

    Our first Nekkid Sleeper! Whoohoo! I’d love to do that all year around, because it feels so sensual and free, but unless it’s really stinking hot, I feel chilled, even under the covers. *sigh*

    Wait, WAIT! I just had AN IDEA! Oooooh, thanks Elaine. *scurries off to write it down*

36. Denise Said,

    Great discussion, Amy! Who knew medicals could be so raunchy? http://www.medicalromance.blogspot.com/

37. Monica Said,

    Denise, Denise, DENISE!!!!

    You have outdone yourself, girl. I delayed reading it for about an hour on Friday, and then couldn’t stop. I finally had to when I looked up and it was 3:45 PM and I still hadn’t showered, needing to get my little one dressed and out the door so we could meet my mom at her job at 5:15. Let’s just say we were late, but I’m not upset at all. It was soooooo totally worth it.

    I just finished the story, and I can feel the tears prickling behind my eyes. It was so beautiful, with Fort’s hesitant approaches and Griff’s unabashed sensuality. When Fort talked Griff through the ride to Valaressa, I felt my heart breaking for him. And then he couldn’t remember Fort’s name. Ah! I thought I’d die.

    Love and sexuality in all its forms is a wondrous thing, and you are one of the best at expressing the feelings of your characters to the point where they no longer feel like fiction, but real-live people who might walk through the door (wait, there’s no one knocking at mine, dammit).

    I feel like a crack fiend. I need another hit. I think I’ll reread it today, and maybe tomorrow, and every day after. BRAVA!!!!! Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to see the lives on Phoenix through your eyes. I know I’ll never be the same again.

    Monica

38. Pamela Said,

    Monica that was a lovely post. I agree totally. I feel blessed when I find a writer who brings characters to life so clearly, like they could knock on your door anytime. Thank you Denise for being such a writer.

39. Dani Said,

    I finished STRONGMAN this morning at 4:15am. I LOVED it!!! The struggle for Fort to overcome his feelings caused by his stuanch upbringing was great, Griff’s gives his friendship freely, without question and the interaction between them was fantastic. I couldn’t get enough of them. Seeing Mirry, Fledge and Jan again was great too. I have to say that I so wanted to kill the hssrda they came in contact with and I was in tears when Griff couldn’t remember Fort’s name.

    You’ve done it again, Denise! Thanks you!!

40. tami Said,

    i am a nudist
    there a secret is out LOL
    really
    i hate clothes, i dont wear nothing to bed, actually couple yrs ago i had to stay over night at the hosp, they kept coming in and getting on my for trying to strip, since, i had a heart moniter hoooked to me, it kept messing it up as i try to yank off my stupid hosp gown

41. Denise Said,

    Pamela, I agree - Monica’s was indeed a lovely post. I got all teary. Because you absolutely nailed it, Monica. The characters are the most important thing, the essential thing, actually. Because unless you truly, really feel for them, who cares about what goes where or who does whom? Page after page of docking procedure? Yaaaawn…

    I’ll let you into a secret, my characters are real - well, they are to me. They keep me company, they talk to me and they tell me I can do this storytelling thing. Like most writers, I’m prone to bouts of “OMG, this book is craaaap!”, followed by severe depression and moping. Poor Joey and Christine and the long-suffering Hell’s Belles (my critique partners) have to prop me up.

    But my characters help. I only have to imagine Mirry frowning with his hands on his hips and I wince and dive back to the keyboard. Don’t even want to think about Jan’s opinion!

42. Denise Said,

    Ah, Dani, I’m so evil. I LOVE to keep you awake and make you cry and make you gasp.

    My poor Hssrda! No one loves them, the poor babies. Wonder why? You know, if there was a way to make them even more awful, I would. *snicker*

    Thanks, Dani.

43. Denise Said,

    Aha, Tami, you’ve done it now! Another Nekkid Sleeper. Had to laugh, though, thinking of the nursing staff struggling to keep you decent.

44. Danielle Said,

    Congratulations Denise have purchased copy and can’t wait to read - am shelving aside an evening.
    In relation to PJ’s, I’m a jammy bottoms and singlet girl.

45. Monica Said,

    Denise, you are one of the few writers where I can honestly say, Don’t worry about your stories being crap — it will never happen. Even your free short stories were strong enough to grab me by the lapels (if I wore them) and say “pay attention, this is definitely worthy of your time”.

    If you ever need someone to read over your work before it comes out, please feel free to remember me. I’m a real stickler for grammar, spelling and punctuation (God bless Mrs. Judd, the original red ink mistress of English in my formative years). Plus, let’s be honest, I’m just dying to get to read your next story!

    You are a godsend to a hot-blooded, voracious reader like myself.

46. Denise Said,

    Hey, Danielle, mistress of horror and one of the wonderful Hell’s Belles. Yay! Thanks for dropping in.

    Love the idea of jammy bottoms. Cute!

47. Denise Said,

    Ah, Monica, a vote of confidence! Thank you. And thank you also for your very kind offer. It’s taken me quite a while to gather them in, but I have the most wonderful set of critique partners. Joey W. Hill, Christine Wells, both fabulously accomplished authors and dear friends. Their links are in the sidebar. Then there’s the Hell’s Belles - a brilliant bunch of women who are loud, proud and keep me honest and keep me writing. I wouldn’t be here talking with you if it wasn’t for them.

    And yes, so many of us owe so much to teachers like Mrs Judd. I’ve long since forgotten the formal details of grammar. I wouldn’t know a dangling participle if it hit me in the face, but I know what “sounds” right.

48. Lami Said,

    Joey W Hill? I have just read her Vampire Queen books and she is one addictive writer.
    Keep writing what sounds right. We will keep reading it.

    Finished Strongman last night. Hoo-wee, what a ride.
    I am getting Gift Of The Goddess in print. I do this with ebooks I love. Then I can hold them in my hands and take them with me and breathe them in……..but that’s just me

    Cheers,
    Lami

49. Denise Said,

    Lami, Joey is amazing - the most intense, lyrical, erotic books you can imagine. But if you’ve read Lyssa and Jacob’s story you already know that. Go to Ellora’s Cave and check out her backlist. Actually, I envy you if you haven’t read them, because there are such treats in store!

    Glad you enjoyed STRONGMAN and hugs for buying GIFT OF THE GODDESS in print. And it’s not just you, ebooks are brilliant, but there’s something about paper and ink that can’t be beat…

    I am waiting (very impatiently) for TAILSPIN to come out in print.

50. Jenny Said,

    I’ve read StrongMan and think it is probably your best novel yet and I thought Tailspin was going to be hard to beat! I know you have a print book coming out about a wizard was it? But do you have any more 10 Fair stories planned? I would be very sad to see this great place left behind.

51. Denise Said,

    Hi Jenny, welcome to Under and Over. Good to see you here.

    THE FLAME AND THE SHADOW is about a sorcerer of shadows and a fire witch. Oooh, the angst! If you like dark, conflicted heroes… It comes out in print with Berkley Ace on 4th November. Here’s a short glimpse. More soonish in my newsletter and on my website.

    Some are drawn to the light. Some are drawn to the dark. Some desire both.
    Grayson of Concordia, known on countless worlds as the Duke of Ombra, is a mercenary, a sorcerer of shadows - a man whose soul is consumed by darkness. For Gray, the bleak savagery in his heart is manifest in an entity he calls Shad. He has long resisted Shad’s enticements, but when he is hired to kidnap a fire witch, he seizes the chance to restore his soul-no matter the cost.

    But no, I love the Ten Nations Fair too. We’ll be baaack, baby…

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