The five stages of grief as defined by Kübler-Ross help us understand what people go through when they suffer a devastating loss of any sort.  The five stages are:

1)  Denial

2)  Anger

3)  Bargaining

4) Depression

5) Acceptance

These stages can also be used to move a character through a story so that by the end the main character has experienced growth.

Additional substages of grief might also include feelings of guilt, fear and shock which could show up in any of the first four stages.

Try applying these stages to the growth arc  of your character and see what unique insights you are able to include for your readers.  You’ll be surprised at the new depth of your work.

The Naughty Ladies of Nice 

are here again and badder than ever.

Book four in the series is Now Available for your reading pleasure. 

Here’s a short blurb to entice you.

Straight-laced children’s author, Rachel Conklin, awakens on a deserted island wrapped in the arms of a sexy pirate. Convinced she’s in a dream conjured from the pages of her breakout novel, Rachel casts her inhibitions to the wind. Guilt-free, she seduces the handsome sailor and rides the waves of passion.

Pediatrician Henri Bernier wasn’t quite sure what to do with the sexy mermaid he’d pulled from the sea. Then she started kissing him and sent his libido soaring. Now the good doctor is ready to practice anything.

You can read excerpts at Aspen Mountain Press or on Sloane Taylor’s blog.

If you are a fan of horror you’ll be sure to enjoy the collection of short stories by Steve Barber.  In Blob and the Sous-Chef you’ll get a taste of it all…ghosts, monsters, aliens, even vampire.

Author Steve Barber’s unique take on relationships, life, death, and human nature are explored in this collection of  short stories. He looks into our memories, our fears, even our deepest secrets. Reflected in a cracked mirror, you may see the woman down the street, whose son seems just a little off, the literary writer who let his rejections get to him a bit too much, the young man whose turn it is to take over a terrible family obligation, or the celebrated chef whose gambling gets him in way more trouble than he thought possible. Or you just may find your own secret self hiding among the pages.

Aspen Mountain Press is proud to present the works of horror authors such as Steve Barber, Jefferson Dane, Melissa Glisan and Chris Morrow.

Aspen Mountain Press is kicking off its anniversary with several days of chats, blogs, contests and more at a variety of places. Check out our list of dates and events planned and mark the calendars in order to win some cool prizes as well.

July 23^rd: kicks off our Anniversary parties with a sneak peek into the first three books to be released in our new imprint line at Aspen Mountain Press. Where-AMP Community Loop (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMP_Community) and you can even win more prizes this day as well.

July 24^th is where we celebrate our Del Fantasma line and its authors. Love Cody, the vampire bartender matchmaker? Then this day is the one for you at our AMP Facebook Fan Page (Fan Page is http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=124393464270181&view=all#!/pages/Aspen-Mountain-Press-Fan-Page/132855360081991?ref=mf) 

July 25^th is where we celebrate with our Horror, thriller and mystery writers from Aspen Mountain Press at The Romance Studio - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theromancestudio/ from 10 am-6 pm ET.

And from 9-10 pm EST, join AMP authors for a live chat at Romance Junkies :  http://www.romancejunkies.com/chat.html !

July 26^th: meet our M/M Authors and their fabulous books are at Raine Delight’s Reader Loop (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Author_Raine_Delight) from noon-8 PM ET.

July 27^th: we celebrate our Cougar Club line with its authors and read some yummy Cougar Club excerpts from the books of this line are at TRS_Blue Yahoo loop from 12 pm-8 pm ET (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trsblue)

July 28^th: we are celebrating all our shifters, Space pirates and other paranormal/Science Fiction stories. Meet the authors and read some yummy excerpts this day at Romance Excerpts Only Yahoo Loop 8 am-8 pm ET (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romanceexcerptsonly)

July 29^th: if you like hot erotica then this day is for you. Here we celebrate our Erotica stories and their authors are at Lizzie’s Tea Room from 8 AM-noon ET (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LizziesTeaRoom/)

And from noon until 9 pm, you can catch more erotica authors at FARChatters! (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FallenAngelReviewChatters/ )

So it’s erotica all day long, all over the web with AMP authors!

July 30^th: love vampires or a good fantasy story? Then this day is for you where we celebrate all our vampires and fantasy stories and their authors are at LR Café from 8 am-5 pm ET (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveromancescafe)

July 31^st: meet our new Aspen Mountain Press authors. These authors are brand new to the stable here at AMP and we would love for you to get to know them and check out their upcoming books at AMP & are at the AMP Community Loop all day.

August 1^st: this is our HUGE party on our community yahoo loop. Come on over and party with all the AMP authors this day at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMP_Community/ 

Prizes galore are to be given away and if you haven’t joined our newsletter, friended us on Facebook, twitter, My Space then please do so. Extra chances to win just by doing those items above as well as joining in on the chats, blogs and other fun stuff planned next week. So keep an eye out on our blog and community loop as we celebrate Aspen Mountain Press’s anniversary.

Hey everyone!

Aspen Mountain Press’ fourth anniversary is coming up in July and we’ve got lots of presents for you, the AMP loyal reader.

Have you been looking for historical fiction and traditional Regency romances? Well, Aurora Regency and Aurora Regency Historicals is the e-publisher for you.  We’re bringing high quality historical novels and novellas to you in the convenience of electronic formats! And on July 23, we’re offering you a sneak peek into the line and the fabulous books we are offering there.

The first Aurora Regency release is Compromising Prudence, by Marguerite Butler. A wonderful madcap Regency in the grand traditions of Georgette Heyer, Compromising Prudence is the first book of her Regency series.

Prudence Wemberly is desperate. Her reputation has been damaged by a cowardly suitor and her overbearing father will disown her when he finds out about it.  She musters her courage and flees to the house of the most notorious courtesan in London.  If she’s ruined, why not become a courtesan herself and have a little fun for a change?  It sounds like a reasonable idea—after she has her third glass of sherry.

Charles Hatterly only wants to pursue his passion for ornithology, but his family expects him to marry and manage the family estates.  He needs to find a well-behaved girl who will be content to marry him—and then leave him alone. 

For a gentleman scientist in need of a wife and a ruined miss in need of a future, there is an obvious solution.  If Prudence and Charles can make it to the altar despite their meddling families, unscrupulous rakes and the brewing scandal that has the ton talking, they just might find more than they bargained for.  Can true love bloom amid the catastrophes that arise from compromising Prudence?

The second Aurora Regency release is The Dangerous Duke, by Arabella Sheraton. If you love the lovely, delicate heroines of Barbara Cartland and the Byronic hero, you’ll really enjoy this amazing return to the emotional oceans of serious Regency romance.

When the beautiful but impoverished Fenella Hawke takes up the position of Companion to the elderly Dowager Duchess of Wyndlesham, she is unprepared for the hostile attitude of the current Duke. The handsome and arrogant Devlin Deverel suspects Fenella has secrets to hide. From the moment they meet, Devlin and Fenella experience an overpowering and frightening attraction.

They try to fight their growing arousal, but find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. However, when Lady Penelope Vane, Devlin’s extremely jealous mistress, discovers that Devlin’s attentions are wandering, she sets in motion a ruthless plot to discredit Fenella, with the help of her ally, the rakish Sir Marcus Solesby.

The first Aurora Regency Historicals release is The Pursuit by Kimberly Nee. A sweeping story set as the first book of a grand family saga in early America, The Pursuit takes the reader into the involved and sensual realms of historical fictions–reminiscent of both Stephanie Laurens and John Jakes in scope.

Born into privilege, Katherine Bainbridge never thought the day would come when she would be happy to find work as a maid. But having fled London to avoid being tried, convicted and hanged for murder, she will take whatever work she can get, even if the offer comes from the most beautiful man she has ever seen.

Garrett McKenzie needs to staff his new home, but when he sees Katherine, the position that comes to mind does not involve mops and buckets. Determined to woo his lovely new maid into his bed, he will do whatever necessary to keep her there.

But when Katherine’s past comes back to haunt her, Garrett will do whatever he has to in order to prove to her that she can trust him with her life, as well as with her love.

I’ve been very excited working with these three talented authors–and even more excited about other authors who will be coming on board the Aurora imprints as the year progresses. Our grand launch is slated for October 15, 2010–with another traditional Regency romance from Marguerite Butler–Becoming Mr. Brooking–and an incredible surprise for our readers as well.

I am delighted and thrilled to announce Author Jennifer Horsman, the popular and beloved writer of Crimson Rapture and A Kiss In The Night, has signed with Aurora Regency and will reissue her popular and beloved novels from the 1980s and 1990s in e-publishing formats. Ms. Horsman, who published with Kensington/Zebra and Avon, is not only a pleasure to work with but an absolute doll to know. Her first reissue, Magic Embrace, will be released upon our grand launch on October 15, followed by A Kiss In The Night in November. We will release one of Ms. Horsman’s novels every 4-6 weeks, bringing her fans the comfort of these familiar and revered books to meet the convenience and ease of the e-reader, the i-pad, and the computer.

So keep an eye on Aurora Regency and Aurora Regency Historicals! Now only are we bringing you the writers of the future in historical romance but we’re reacquainting you with the pillars of the genre–one book at a time! In the coming weeks, we’ll have introductory interviews with the new AR/ARH authors, guest blogs, blurbs, excerpts and all sorts of fun. On July 15th, the Aurora authors and I have taken over the Love Romances and More e-cafe all day, where we’ll be discussing the new imprint and giving away lots of great things.

 And happy fourth anniversary from Aspen Mountain Press!  Stay tuned to this blog for more details on other presents we’re giving out for our anniversary–presents for YOU. 

The attendees at this year’s Romantic Times Booklovers convention held in the convention center of Columbus, Ohio were treated to some beautiful covers on some of our Aspen Mountain Press stories.

An 8 foot long display featured Bride of Death by Celina Summers and Cover Me by L.B. Gregg.

Celina wasn’t content with the 1 foot square space allocated by RT for placing promotional items (although, the apportionment of the space was well done and kept things organized on the tables), so she built up.  Great idea Celina!

Look for more innovative displays for next year’s Romantic Times Convention held at the Bonaventure in L.A.

So many of us are pushed for time these days.  Families demand our attention as do our civic commitments.  We get up early trying to get one extra thing done.  We stay up late trying to finish just one more thing from our ever-extending to-do list.

We need more time we groan.  And it’s true, we do need more time.  But…how much time do we manage to waste in a day?

The first thing you need to know is when is your most productive time of the day?  Early morning? Mid afternoon?  Late at night when even the mice are sleeping?

Second, limit the number of items on your ‘to-do’ list to four or five of the most CRITICAL items.  If you absolutely MUST pay your utility bill or be shut off, that becomes a critical item.  Forwarding on the latest Maxine cartoon is not. (more…)

Mythos 1: Bride of Death has been released by Aspen Mountain Press!  This is the first book in my Mythos series, a collection of Greco-Roman myths retold with a modern narrative voice.  I remain true to the original classical sources, which means reinjecting these stories with the original sensual context of the stories.  Most mythologies are of a sexual nature, and despite centuries of vanilla-izing still have those erotic overtones.  The story behind Bride of Death is the myth of Hades, the god of the Underworld, and his wife, Persephone, the personification of the spring maiden.  The story of their relationship was meant to explain the changing of the seasons–while the spring maiden is on earth with her mother, the world thrives and bears fruit.  But, when she is in the Underworld with her husband, winter descends upon the planet as Demeter grieves for her daughter.  Persephone is an early personification of sexual power–in the end, her allure is intense enough to bring Death himself to his knees.

You can pick up a copy of Mythos 1: Bride of Death at http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/bride-of-death/prod_304.html.  You can read an excerpt of the story either on that page or on my website Shoot The Muse! 

Synopsis:When the mischievous god of love targets Hades, the god of death falls hopelessly in love with the spring maiden Persephone, the one immortal most ill-suited for his dark domain. Her mother Demeter will never allow the Lord of the Underworld to court her beloved daughter. The king of the gods proposes an unconventional solution: Hades may kidnap Persephone and take her to the Underworld to woo her. If Persephone agrees to marry Hades, Zeus will support the match.

But neither god has reckoned on Demeter’s inconsolable grief at the loss of her daughter.  If Persephone is not returned to her, the goddess has vowed to destroy all life. Can Hades win Persephone’s heart before her mother discovers who has taken her? Or will Persephone make her own wishes known as the intended bride of death? Even in the world of immortals, time is not on Hades’ side.

If you love gay romances with shapeshifters and a healthy dose of thriller, you will be sure to enjoy this week’s release by Emily Veinglory.  Kerry is a werewolf and Bern is a vampire and the two are on the run, seemingly from everybody.  A strange situation for two men employed by the local police agency.

Bern is a quiet sort of man who works as a receptionist at a police station.  He is legally registered as a vampire.  Not so, Kerry, a born werewolf, who is keeping his paranormal status quiet.  But when a murder takes place, Kerry knows that he’ll be suspect number one.  The victim was attacked by a wolf.

Prejuidice takes shape in all sorts of forms and this time it is between humans and ‘otherkin’; and between the ‘born’ not ‘made’ groups of paranormals.  Kerry and Bern have trouble all around them and it’s going to take a lot for an unasumming vampire to step up and keep Kerry safe.

Visit Aspen Mountain Press today and pick up a copy of Blue Murder.

At the end of January I attended Digital Book World in New York City.  The two day event was interesting. The first day was spent doing a lot of hand-holding for print publishers and talking about price-fixing (I’m pretty sure that is illegal according to anti-trust laws, but my history is rusty) and the Apple iPad.  There was even a speech about how publishers could save money on shipping by using another company’s product and procedure…that had absolutley nothing to do with digital books or digital publishing.

The real treat, for me, came on day two.  I listened to Raelene Gorlinsky tell the audience how Ellora’s Cave made $5 million dollars selling just eBooks within a few years of their opening (Ellora’s Cave is TEN this year); and that they’ve been around as long as they have been selling eBooks.  There was literally a corporate gasp from the tables near where I sat and then a stunned sort of silence.

Publishing has changed.  This isn’t new news.  In the ancient days, books, the few there were had to be copied by hand.  This made them highly valuable to the owner and costly as well.  Then along came Guttenberg.  Books came down in price.  Then came Luther and others like him who had the radical idea that books should be in your home language.  The Industrial Revolution automated the publishing material.  Costs dropped again. (more…)