Samhain Publishing

Hey all,

Today’s blog is a reprint of one I’ve done elsewhere, but the internet here in Singapore is iffy at best, so this is the best I could do this time. But it’s such an eyeopening subject (at least for me) I thought you all might be interested as well.

It’s about something that anyone who knows me at all will understand how very important it is. In fact, I think it’s one of the most important things on the planet. This is something we really take for granted over in the states. At least I do. So when I discovered the truth of it here, it kinda threw me for a loop. Curious yet?

Well, I’ve finally found something about Singapore I dislike. I wasn’t prepared for it. Hadn’t expected it in any way. And considering how important this certain thing is, I’m not sure I can live here any more. grin

Okay…no more teasing. Here’s the skinny.

So, I’m on one of my rambles. Remember when I told you there were a gazillion and one malls over here? You could visit a mall, one a day, and I think you’d be old and gray by the time you’d seen them all. But you have to start somewhere…right? So I’m wandering around, I think it was near Chinatown and I head into this big mall.

I hit the escalator and do the circle of the floor checking out what types of stores they have and making notes for future excursions. Well, after the 8th escalator ride—these suckers are bloody tall—I came upon my very first bookstore. Now we’ve seen book stands before. These are just piles of books set out in the middle of the mall for sale, but this was an ACTUAL BOOKSTORE.

I was so excited. I’d been wanting to see what one looks like. You know, do they have English books or just ones in Chinese? What type of selection do they stock? Are the prices comparable?

So in a scooted and gazed around in delight. It wasn’t a big one. I know they have Borders here, but this was more of a Waldenbook size mall store. As you walk in, you first see their selection of kids books. A big display with books tailored to the rugrat set. And you’ll remember me saying the Asian people have a slight obsession with bodily functions? The kids books reflect it. There was a whole row of books entitled, Everyone Poops, All About Scabs, Breasts and even one called The Gas we Pass—The Story of Farts.

Now, for those of you with littles, these ARE available in the states as well, but I have to tell you, the bookstore isn’t the only place I’ve seen these little beauties. They must be BIG sellers! LOL

Anyway, I go rambling around and I’m of course looking for the romance books. I’ve found my print books in a few stores and I was curious is Singapore could handle the heat. smile So I looked.

And looked.

And looked.

I was just about ready to give up when I saw it. And I’d almost missed it because it shared a sign with Science Fiction! So here it is, a Sinaporean’s answer to the needs of Romance readers.

A single stand of books about eight feet long. But wait… Half of those are sci-fi books! Only two of those sections have romance books on it.

I was devastated.

How can a romance reader have her nourishment in a country where romance is so neglected? I stared in disbelief at the paltry offering. A few of my favorite authors were there. Sherrilyn Kenyon was one and to my utter relief, La Nora was there with several of her series. But I still wanted to weep. Where were all the other wonderful authors? No Harlequins? And forget about small press. That thought was a joke.

I took the above picture to prove I wasn’t fibbing, then continued to look around. The store was filled to the gills with books. What other type could be considered more important that my favorite genre????

It didn’t take me long to find out. Young adult had a decent following. Two full length rows for the younger set, but then I turned a corner and the truth was revealed.

Manga.

Row after row after row of illustrated Manga books. In English, Mandarin, Malay and half a dozen other languages as well. As I gazed in shock, I realized a good third of the store was given over to these comic books.

Now I love a good Manga comic. Have even done some work with them myself, but a third of the store? Seriously?

Totally a cultural thing. It has to be.

So I trudged back and patted Nora Robert’s Black Hills book in commiseration and thanked God for the internet and online book stores!!!

So next time you take a jaunt to your neighborhood Borders, Waldenbooks, Barnes and Noble or Books a Million, give the book buyer a great big hug from me. Tell them thank you for knowing that we romance readers are a loyal lot and we won’t forget the fact you cared enough to have the books we want to read at our fingertips!!!

I’ll be back next time with another fun blog. Until then, check out my CHAT BLOG with all my travel news.

Hugs to all,

CJ England
 

Follow Your Dreams
Don’t Tempt The Phoenix
http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

We all have them. You know what I mean. It can happen anywhere and at anytime. Sometimes when you least expect it. That single moment in time where you are watching something happen and when it does you get that gooey feeling inside…that silly grin on your face and you heave a big sigh of Ahhhhhh…

Silly? Not really. We all have them. Even those big tough guys we all know. Their Ahhhhhh… threshold maybe higher or different than ours, but they have one. And what makes you go Ahhhhhh… is different for everyone.

For example, I’m a sucker for Hallmark commercials. I’ll tear up in a heartbeat over something as silly as a kid making a valentine for his teacher, or a puppy trotting over to a young bride with an “I’m sorry” card from a repentant husband.

This blog came to be when I found one of the best Ahhhhhh… moments I’d ever seen online. It is a marriage proposal. One of the best I’ve ever seen and once it was done, I was Ahhhhhhing all over the place as were most of the people watching. Check it out…

It’s something I try to do in my books as well. Have those moments where the reader gets so into the story that when that instant of connection comes, they can’t help but go Ahhhhhhh….

And when my fans write and tell me about a certain part of a book that made them go all week in the knees, I know I’ve done what I’ve set out to do.

So what about you? What are your Ahhhhhh moments? What special thing makes you go all gooey inside and puts a big silly grin on your face???

Let me know in the comment section. Who knows? You may find your idea in one of my books in the future!

Until next time, take care…keep on loving and don’t forget… Follow Your Dreams!!!

Hugs to all,
CJ England
 

Follow Your Dreams
Don’t Spank The Vamp
http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Hey all,

I’ve been busy, busy, busy. Things have been crazy since I got back from my trip overseas. England, France, Ireland and Scotland…it was the best time EVER!!! We saw sights and did things we’ve been dreaming of for years. I was able to show Jonathon places I’ve been to before, and we both were able to see brand new and special areas on our travels. And not one of them came up short…I promise you! In fact, we can’t wait to go back to a couple of them!!! The picture to the right is Jonathon and I having tea in the city of Bath, in the UK. One of the places I’d always wanted to visit after reading ALL those historical romances!

And the wedding? Well, romantic that I am, let me tell you, it was all I could ever have dreamed of. A perfect way to take my own advice and… Follow Your Dreams!!!!

The title says it all. We made some great memories. We were there all by ourselves and while it would have been wonderful to share with friends and family, I have to say that after 25 years, it being just for us was perfect. It is a memory that I will always hold close to my heart. Jonathon went out of his way to make it special for me and he completely succeeded.

Renewing our vows was something we’d talked about for years, but for some reason or another, just never did. Doing it on our 25th anniversary in such a special place gave it a air of romance that any other time or place just couldn’t accomplish. And where was this wonderful, special place???

Gretna Green! The home of thousands of runaway marriages for hundreds of years. Getting married “over the anvil” was a delightful and romantic experience and I’d recommend it to any one. The folks at the Blacksmith’s Shop were so helpful and went out of their way to make our experience special. Lynn, who took the photographs and set it up for me, and Bill, the “Smithy” who married us, couldn’t have been more perfect for the job. Oh, and I almost forgot Brighton…the stuffed Badger who ran the camera. (But that’s another story…)

The site itself is the original Blacksmith’s Shop that thousands upon thousands of couples used over the years to wed in secret. Renewing our vows there gave us a sense of mystery and excitement, and I truly believe added a spark to the relationship and made us closer. Just he and I against the world.

And when we looked into each others eyes and said our vows again, I have never loved him more. It was as if he and I were alone in the universe and nothing and nobody else mattered. That feeling and those emotions have carried on since that day making our marriage deeper and more loving.

I could go on and on about how interesting the ceremony was, and how beautiful the smithy and the museum were, but I think pictures will show better than words. So here are some pics of the wedding and Gretna Green itself. Enjoy!

Now, doesn’t Jonathon look hot in a kilt! Not every guy will put on a skirt for his lady, only a REAL man!!!! Now, I’ve got much more stories, pics and info about this trip on my BLOG I try and put up a new adventure a couple times during the week. Come check it out!

And, if you are interested in getting married or renewing your vows in the most romantic place on the planet, contact the lovely people at The Blacksmiths Shop and set up your very own unforgettable memory!

Until next time, take care…keep on loving and don’t forget… Follow Your Dreams!!!

Hugs to all,
CJ England
 

Follow Your Dreams
Don’t Spank The Vamp
http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Hey Everyone,

It’s official! Don’t Spank the Vamp is a BEST SELLER!!!! And I’m so excited since this book is one of my favorites! Let me give you a short blurb to get things started.

Need inspiration? Take a walk on the sexy side. Toys included.

The Don’t Series

Dawn is so focused on making a name for herself in the art world, her personal life has fallen into a rut. She spends far more time with her hands in clay than on a man. Then her friends liven things up by taking her to a toy shop for her birthday. A very different kind of toy shop for special sexual games. And there’s more than sexy entertainment on the shelves—a fortune teller says Dawn’s destiny awaits if only she will reach out and take it.

Aidan is a vampire who has existed for over a century searching for his one true soulmate, his twin-flame. One look at Dawn takes Aidan’s breath away. One kiss later, he knows she is the one woman who will sustain him forever—if he can convince her to walk with him on the wild side.

Dawn responds to his inspiration better than he could have hoped. Then she goes one toy too far…

Want to know more?

Read Some Excerpts at CJ’s Website
Buy This Book at mybookstoreandmore

This book started out of a short novella, but the response was so overwhelming when Samhain was interested, I expanded it. I made it three times longer and decided to add a few more toys. And let me tell you, the research was fun! LOL

One of the questions I’m asked the most is where did I come up with the title of the book? In actuality, it was a group effort. At RT 2006 I was in a seminar with Linnea Sinclair and we were all discussing catchy titles, tag lines, etc. Somehow we started tossing out titles and someone, I don’t remember who, came up with the title Don’t Spank the Vamp. We all laughed, but Linnea loved it and off-handedly challenged one of us to be the first to come up with a novel that went along with the title.

And I did.

Less than a year later, Don’t Spank the Vamp was born, filled with romance, adventure, sensual, sultry sex and enough toys to make you blush. As a novella it was a multi-award winner, and now in it’s expanded form, the reviews I’m getting are even better.

And if you buy the book and send me a copy of your receipt, you get a free toy of your own! Just send it to me at womanofthewind@yahoo.com and give me your snail mail addy as well. I’ll send it out as soon as possible.

So what are you waiting for? Get your copy and then get a free toy to have fun with! grin

Oh, and a couple of other things. Make sure you check out my website for my latest contests. You can win a lot of great prizes and enjoy yourself doing it! Go to CJs Contests

And lastly, have you seen my FREE READ? Experience the HEAT of MEXICO in “What Happens in Mexico…Stays in Mexico”. This FREE READ has new installments put out every Monday on MY BLOG, or you can read it from the beginning on MY WEBSITE. So check it out and good reading.

Have a great rest of your week!
Hugs to all,
CJ England

Follow Your Dreams
http://cjengland.com/don’t
http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Hey all,

This year has just flown by so fast. I can’t believe it’s almost over. I feel like I got nothing done, yet I know I did. Just this month has been really busy for me. I’ve contracted several new books and finished edits on my February 10th release of Don’t Spank the Vamp—Check out the great cover that just went up…

This book has everything. Hot vampires, erotic sex toys, mind-blowing lovemaking and heartfelt romance. It’s one of my favorite stories and I can’t wait to see what you all think. It was originally a novella, but has been expanded to three times the length.

To check this book out, go either to Don’t Spank the Vamp
or head to My Website to see all the scoop on the series I’ve got planned.

This month I also did a last read through on my May release, Bless the Beasts. That book is the first in the Loropon Lust Series about a very different kind of shapeshifter. I think you’ll like it too! Check it out at Bless the Beasts

Add to that, I started an EDJ at Ghirardelli Chocolates in Downtown Disney, Disney World and am almost done with my NaNoWriMo goal of 50,000 words of writing, I haven’t had a moment to myself.

I was glad I spent a week sick, because it actually helped me get all of it done! LOL

The days just went flying past. I can’t believe it’s already the end of the month. In two days it will be Thanksgiving and while I love the holiday, it’s going to mean one thing…

I don’t have any of my Christmas shopping done.

Can we all say, ARRRRRGHHHHHH!!!!!?????

Anyway, go see what I have going on at my Website. I’ve got a great November contest, all the latest news, plus some other fun things you’ll enjoy! Maybe you can do some Christmas shopping while you’re there!

And to all my friends, fans and colleagues, have a wonderful, safe and dreamy Thanksgiving!

Hugs to you all!!!!!

CJ England

Never anger an elf… we have very long memories.
http://cjengland.com/mylari/eyesoffire.htm
http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Hey all,

Some of you may be aware I injured my hand this summer. Tore some ligaments in my left hand which shut down any writing I wanted to do. (pout) After two months, I’ve got the go ahead to start up again, but I can’t do much. So, to keep my hand happy, this month I decided to recycle an old blog I’d done on a subject we all most likely enjoy.

Kissing…

One of my friends adores a good kiss in a book. In fact, she loves it so much that she’ll read that section over and over again. And if the book starts with a good kiss, then she’s hooked and will probably buy that story without a second thought.

For a romance writer like myself, a good kiss in a story is a must. After all, what would a true romance be without one? All subgenres embrace this fact. (pun intended) Heroes must be hot kissers, and heroines should know when to accept a kiss or when to be the one initiating it!

Now my friend has very specific ideas as to what constitutes a good kiss. No slobber, no dry pecks…for her the kiss has to be slow, sexy and very thorough. Every time she recommends a book to me, I’m pretty sure there will be at least one sexy kiss in it somewhere. And when I send her one of my books to proof, I always ask her about the kissing scenes. I want to make sure that I’ve met her strict criteria for ‘the perfect kiss’.

A kiss can be the beginning of something magical, or literally the kiss of death for a relationship. Many of us have had that one partner that kissed like a fish, or tried to eat your face at the end of a date. On the other hand, one of the reasons my husband and I are still together is because he’s got the sexiest lips on the planet…and he knows how to use them. (grin)

“May I print a kiss on your lips?” I said,
And she nodded her full permission:
So we went to press and I rather guess
We printed a full edition.
~Joseph Lilientha

Good kissing is a wonderful prelude to good sex. As in the quote above, you begin with a kiss on the lips and if that makes you sigh or spin out of control, it can lead to even more enjoyment. But it’s the kiss that starts it out.

So just what IS a good kiss? For that, you’ll get a hundred answers. It’s just as personal as anything else to do with intimacy. I love quick brushes of the mouth and then nibbles on my lower lip. Gets my motor running. Then, I like him to get more aggressive…take control and show me who’s boss. I’m more submissive in kissing, I like the feeling of him being in charge. Will that work with everyone? Not on your life.

And neither does it work in fiction. A kiss for one couple I write may be gentle and loving, filled with all the emotion of how they feel about each other. On the other hand, if it’s a slam-bam-thank-you-ma’am kind of relationship, the kiss can be just heat…all about the physical.

A kiss can start at the eyes with “butterfly kisses” and move all the way down the body until you move into a different type of kissing altogether. (giggle) But this post is about an old fashioned lip to lip embrace. It’s so important, scholars have done dissertations on it, documentaries have explained its significance, and the Bible, the number one selling book of all time, goes into great detail about how meaningful it is.

Song of Solomon 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth- for your love is more delightful than wine.

A kiss between a two people who are destined to fall in love is an awesome thing. In any romance story, that first kiss is the ‘tell’ for how the relationship may go. And any kiss thereafter can mean a multitude of things. Consider these famous kisses…

1. From Here to Eternity (1953) That couple rolling around in the waves stealing forbidden kisses had movie goers fanning themselves.
2. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) The famous kiss in the rain didn’t leave a dry eye in the house.
3. Spiderman (2002) The kiss between Spidey and Mary Jane while he hangs upside down in the alley is not only sexy, but it sets up one of the best “reveals” I’ve ever seen.
4. Gone with the Wind (1939) What more needs to be said about Rhett sweeping Scarlet up in his arms and planting one on her? Even in this day and age where more heroines are taking charge, that picture stirs the juices like no other.
5. Lady and the Tramp-(1955) Sure, they’re dogs, but that kiss was so absolutely perfect, I wanted to go get some spaghetti and try it out myself! And I was just a kid!

A truly great kiss between two lovers is one that will never be forgotten. There’s the one that when we read about it, may help us nurse a broken heart. Or the one that set our pulses racing and we have to jump our honey when he gets home. And don’t forget the kiss that inspires us to follow our dream…to search for that special someone we know is out there just for us.

In a story, those things are even more true. Each word we write. Each description of a kiss must be more than just the pressing of lips together. It must bring the heart and the soul into it. It must make passion flare and love spark into true possibility.

Ancient lovers believed a kiss would literally unite their souls, because the spirit was said to be carried in one’s breath. ~Eve Glicksman

When I kiss you, I can taste your soul ~Carrie Latet

I am one who believes in soulmates. That for every person in this existence, there is another that completes you…that is the other part of your inner heart. In one of my upcoming series at Samhain—Don’t Spank the Vamp—I use the term-Twin Flame, which literally means the other half of yourself. If, as in the quote above, a kiss can unite two lover’s souls, then each kiss is very important and should never be treated lightly. The phrase… you have to kiss a lot of frogs, before you find your prince, may be true, but in my books, a kiss will always be the beginning to something huge and special. Something that will make you want to be that hero or heroine for a little while so you can feel the wonder and glory in the love they share…in that kiss.

Fiery sensation raced through Calion’s already overstimulated body. The chance meeting of their lips wiped all pain, fear and worry about touching a human out of his mind. He went on pure instinct. His body burned to make her his own. Slanting his hard mouth across hers, he devoured. Not a tentative first kiss, this, but one that instinctively knew just where and how to touch her.

The Mylari Chronicles: Eyes of Fire

His lips moved over hers in a sensuous caress that shocked him with its intensity. It was like being hit by a bolt of lightning. Any thought he’d had of taking it slow disappeared in a ball of white heat. He groaned and slanted his mouth over hers, taking hers in a hungry deep kiss that fused them together.

Don’t Spank the Vamp

Kisses, to me, are the first step in creating a romance. Soft and sweet, hard and fast, it doesn’t matter as long as they show all the passion and emotion of the moment. And I like to make sure my heroes are great kissers, not just for my aforementioned friend’s sake so she’ll like my books, but because I’m a great believer in the wisdom of Mae West who said…

A man’s kiss is his signature.

And I truly believe that. A man’s kiss shows exactly what he is and how he will treat his lady. Just as how a woman responds shows a great deal about her. My women may be shy, sweet, earthy or wanton, depending on the character. My men will be strong, sensitive, and lusty kissers. No fish lips for my guys, you can be sure of that! (smile) Instead, any kiss given by one of my heroes, as in the examples above, will be something the ladies won’t soon forget. Because if a man’s kiss is his signature, I definitely want my my readers to remember his name!

So…now it’s your turn to tell me about kisses. And I’ll even make a contest out of it. Anyone who leaves a comment about the blog AND tells me their favorite kiss story will be entered. To be specific, tell me about a kiss you’ve experienced. Bad…good…THE BEST! Where, when, how…with who (the last one only if you want). You’ll have between now and September 30th to comment. The winner will be chosen randomly from the comments left and be announced in a comment as well as on the Samhain Readers Loop. Can’t wait to hear all about it!

What will you win? How about a beautiful copper and glass suncatcher? I have one just like it in my office window and it’s lovely when the morning sun hits it.

And don’t forget to check out my website for all the new goings on. I’ve got a fun Fall Contest, monthly Hunks, and a great Fall Special for all my readers.

Take care everyone and I’ll see you next time with even more fun!

Hugs,

CJ England

Never anger an elf… we have very long memories
cjengland.com/mylari/eyesoffire.htm
cjengland.com
groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Hey all,

I’ve been so excited about how well The Mylari Chronicles: Eyes of Fire is doing. Let me take this time to say thank you to all of you who bought the book. I’ve had many emails telling me how much everyone enjoyed the story and I wanted to say the next book is in the works, so stay tuned for more information on that!

As some of you know, my books are filled with heartfelt emotion. Lots of it. It’s what I want to read, so it’s what I write. I chose this genre because I believe everyone should have a little romance in their lives. If I can give that gift to my readers, I believe I’ve done something very special.

So, that being said, this month’s blog is about my favorite of all subjects…ROMANCE. More specifically, how to show your mate or lover exactly how you feel. Everyone can use new ideas on how to tickle your honey’s fancy, so pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and hopefully some of these ideas will turn you on!

I’ve been married almost 25 years. I’m very lucky because Jonathon has learned how to be a very romantic man. I love it when he surprises me with flowers or ice cream or even a special book or movie. I enjoy romancing him with back rubs, a special dinner or even meeting him at the door dressed in nothing but cellophane. LOL

But I believe that no matter how close or demonstrative you are with your mate, there are always other things to learn. New ideas keep your relationship from going stale and doing something different can be exciting and fun. And there are so many choices, there’s really no reason NOT to do something. All you have to do is make the decision to go for it.

The following are some ideas Jonathon and I have done to spark that romantic flame. I hope some of them fan your fire.

1. Give your lover a romantic massage. This is one of Jonathon’s favorites. There is nothing he likes better than to come out of the shower and find the bed covered in a scented sheet and candles all around. I’m standing next to the bed in a sexy nightie and I have massage oil warmed and a glass of his favorite wine at the ready. He can relax and just let himself go. Can it turn into something more? Sometimes… sometimes not. I just go with the flow and see how he feels once he’s relaxed.
2. Brag on your lover to your friends. This may not seem romantic, but it can be. Don’t go overboard about it, just tell the truth about something your lover has done that made you feel good. We all like warm fuzzies and letting your honey know when he’s done something cool is definitely a way to stroke him in new and imaginative way.
3. Spend an afternoon reading to each other. Jonathon and I started doing this when the kids were napping. We started with The Hobbit and took turns reading chapters. One would read, the other would rub the reader’s feet. Then we’d switch. It was wonderful. Very romantic and it drew us closer to each other. Pick a book you’ll both enjoy and have at it. We’ve gone through hundreds of books this way over the years. It doesn’t have to be a sexy book, but that can be fun too in a different way. Give it a try!
4. Take your sweetheart for a bike ride and picnic. This is one of my faves. Pack up a lunch of your honey’s favorites and then go for a bike ride at your favorite park or down by the beach. Then once you find a secluded spot, you can nibble on your lunch and each other!
5. Shave your mate or paint their nails. Jonathon will probably kill me for spilling this, but he loves it when I do this with him. It’s an intimacy that a lot of people don’t think about. But these acts show trust and that trust brings lovers closer together. It may be difficult at first, but I can tell you from experience that doing this was not only fun, it did do something very special for both of us.

Want to learn some more romantic ways to say you care? Check out this informative website and you can make all those romantic dreams come true.
101 ways to show your love

So now it’s your turn. Since this blog was all about ideas, why not share some of your own? I know I’d love to get some new romantic ideas on how to love on my very own hottie, so leave a comment and give it up.

Thanks all and I’ll see you next time!!!

Hugs,

CJ England

Never anger an elf… we have very long memories.
http://cjengland.com/mylari/eyesoffire.htm
http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Hey all,

I’m so excited to be a part of Samhain and having my release on Friday was like a dream come true. I had a great release party and I thank everyone who made my day such a special one. As most of you may know, The Mylari Chronicles: Eyes of Fire released last Friday. I’ve already had several wonderful reader reviews where it’s being sold at My Bookstore and More and that means the world to me.

Let me give you a brief blurb…

An ancient prophecy comes to life in an erotic tale of forbidden love.

Talia’s visit home turns upside down when dark, frightening creatures appear seemingly from nowhere and transport her to another world. The faerie world. In this mystical paradise, she finds her life and honor threatened for reasons she does not understand.

When Calion Sáralondë, Prince of the Calen’taur Elves, rescues the human female from an orcan stronghold, his attraction to her is immediate and strong. And the feeling is mutual. Though their love is sardai—taboo—Calion can’t bring himself to linksend her back to her world. Her presence sets a fire in his soul only mating with her can tame.

And their passion could be the answer to an ancient prophecy that saves his world.

Cool, huh? Wait till you read it! Reviewer and readers alike use words like, “beautiful writing”, “sensational”, “uniquely creative”, and “breathtaking imagery” to describe it.

I’ve also had a few emails asking me where I get my ideas, so I thought it might be interesting to show you where some of the ideas for beyond the faerie myst came from. From dark forests to painted valleys, our own earth holds a myriad of inspirations. Join me now as I take you to Beyond the Faerie Myst…in our own backyard.

The Myst…in the book, the barrier between the human world and the world of the faerie.
I got the idea on a cross country trip from Florida to Idaho. We were traveling through North Carolina and suddenly found ourselves in a place beyond time. Something unexplainable happened then. Where it should have only taken us a day or so to get through, it wound up taking us two weeks.
What happened to us during those two weeks? Were we transported beyond the Myst? We never found out, but we’ve never forgotten. And thus, a story is born.

The Valley of Osali…which in the human tongue means “Perfection”.
And for those of you who don’t recognize this magnificent place, it is the one and only Yosemite Valley. Painted by the Creator’s brush, it is one of the most beautiful areas in the world.
This is the inspiration for the kingdom where Calion and the Calen’taur elves make their home. Filled with serenity, magick and tradition, Yosemite fills all the above requirements.
It is here where the prophecy will come to pass.

Whispering Falls…A Place of love and enchantment. Where Talia and Calion first join together and destiny is fulfilled.
A beautiful place taken from one of the many gorgeous waterfall areas in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington. Each with their own mystery and secrets.
Shimmering lights in the sky point to the Aurora Borealis which sometimes can be seen that far south, and the hidden hot springs, are a nod to the many exquisite places that every traveler should visit just once.

In the book you’ll hear me mention the Forest of Mysyr. It is a dark place, filled with heaviness, yet a strange, almost unnatural beauty. I used as my inspiration the rain forest near the coast of Northern California.
I’ve spent many an enjoyable time wandering through these massive giants and I always felt the trees were watching and wondering about me.
It’s that sense of spookiness that I tried to convey in the story, Eyes of Fire.

Those are just a few of the inspirations for my magical world behind the faerie myst. To learn more about Talia, Calion and their friends and foes, purchase the book and enjoy. And let me know if you recognize any of the other places in the story. It’s all true, you know. Every word. The Myst is real and so are the places beyond the veil.

And remember, when you do purchase The Mylari Chronicles: Eyes of Fire, send me a copy of your receipt. I have a great THANK YOU GIFT, just for you!

Hugs and have a wonderful blessed May!!!!

CJ England

Never anger an elf… we have very long memories.
http://cjengland.com/mylari/eyesoffire.htm
http://cjengland.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

One of my favorite sayings is…

The Best Nation to Visit is the IMAGINATION.

In that special place you can fly through the air in the body of a hawk, climb Mount Everest with a special group of mountain climbers, or dive to the bottom of the sea seeking the lost city of Atlantis. As a romance writer the imagination can help me dream dreams, build magical worlds, and create the perfect hero and heroine. Every imagining can have a happy ending as that couple rides off into the sunset to live a life filled with the kind of love we all dream about.

All my life I’ve been blessed with a vivid imagination. My mom encouraged me, and living in the mountains near Yosemite, California, I spent a lot of time wandering in the woods. In fact, many of the stories I’ve published started out as daydreams thought up as I hiked the mountain trails or rode my horse on a lazy summer afternoon.

How cool is it that my imagination is never too crowded, always welcomes me back, and constantly revitalizes and refreshes me. I spend enough time there to feel like it’s a second home. One I can visit at the drop of a hat, no matter where I am or what I’m doing.

People who know and love me get used to my eyes going unfocused as I drift off to visit that special nation, even as I’m walking in the mall or out having an ice cream cone with my family. I even have the tendency to bring my characters home with me, and that makes me a very interesting person to live with.

Henry David Thoreau said…

The world is but a canvas to the imagination.

An author knows and takes advantage of this. Every day, I see things in the real world that I can take with me into my imagination. Once there, they change, transform and become something uniquely mine. Ultimately, I put those ideas together and write a story for my readers to take pleasure in. And I’m thankful they enjoy reading my work as much as I do dreaming it up!

Each book I create gives my readers a look inside me. Each trip into the imagination gives them a chance to get to know me better. Why? Because as an author, I put a piece of myself into each book I write. All my hopes and longings that I’ve dreamed and imagined are in those stories. In fact, The Mylari Chronicles: Eyes of Fire—the first book I ever submitted, digs deep into my dreams. In that book you’ll find the pain of unrequited love, the truth of finding the one soul you’re meant to be with, the love I’d always longed for, and the happiness that comes from two lovers who finally find each other. This book is very special to me. It’s taken a while to come to fruition, but having Samhain be the publishers is a dream come true.

My tag line urges my readers to

Follow Your Dreams into a World of Romance and Imagination

I believe that with all my heart. For dreams are the fuel for the imagination, and the imagination is absolutely necessary for those who love to dream.

Let me leave you with this quote from Albert Einstein…

Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.

Want to know more about me? Visit my website at CJ England and see all my dreams! Come join my chat group at CJ Says Follow Your Dreams and get to know all my imaginings! And for a special treat, check out the Special Free Read on my CJ’s Living Dreams Blog. See what happens when I let my imagination head south of the border in What Happens in Mexico, Stays in Mexico.

Take care, and I’ll see you next month.

CJ England